DTM Hockenheim preview: It’s time for fireworks!
The Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters heads to Hockenheim this weekend for the tenth and last round of the 2014 season. With Marco Wittmann having won the drivers’ title a month ago, and BMW Team RMG securing the Teams’ crown in Zandvoort, it’s time to settle at the chequered flag whether BMW or Audi will win the Manufacturers’ championship.
A year ago, Bruno Spengler got pole position and Timo Glock won a thrilling race under the rain, to give to BMW their second consecutive Manufacturers’ title since their return to the series back in 2012.
And that mustn’t be a too distant memory for the Bavarian car maker, which arrives to Hockenheim with 362 points, just 21 ahead of Audi, and ready to put the icing on the cake to what has been their most successful season in the DTM so far. BMW want the title and have a clear strategy to secure it: to get as many cars as possible in the points’ positions.
Team strategy it’s the foremost important issue for BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt, coming into a very special track: “We still have one major goal to achieve: we want to defend our top spot in the Manufacturers’ Championship. We will need a strong team performance to achieve this goal. The race at the Hockenheimring certainly promises to be a cracker for the fans.”
A man with a lot to celebrate this year is Stefan Reinhold, Team Principal at BMW RMG, winner of the teams’ title and boss to 2014 drivers’ champion Marco Wittmann and Rookie of the Year Maxime Martin: “My team has been incredible this year. We come full circle in Hockenheim. This is where Marco Wittmann’s victory in the opening race laid the foundation for our great season. We now return as champions. It will be an emotional race for us. Winning the manufacturers’ crown with BMW is our goal which we will tackle with maximum focus.”
Audi Sport hasn’t had the season they hoped for, with their first and only win so far arriving in Zandvoort thanks to Mattias Ekström. They have pulled the biggest joint effort so, despite the lack of top results, the Ingolstadt contingent arrives in Hockenheim as contenders for the Manufacturers’ title.
Audi will also treat the attendants in Hockenheim to the debut of the driverless Audi RS 7 piloted driving concept, which will lap the circuit almost as fast as if it had a driver at the wheel.
Dieter Gass, Head of DTM at Audi, hopes the momentum gained in Zandvoort will continue in Hockenheim: “Mattias’ (Ekström) victory was a great relief for all of us. It’s about the title of the best manufacturer, as well as the runner-up’s spot in the teams’ and drivers’ classifications. We’re determined to do our bit in this effort – preferably by clinching the next victory.”
Zandvoort winner Mattias Ekström hopes to finish the season on a high: “It was a great feeling to wake up as the winner on the morning after Zandvoort. I’d like to enjoy this moment again after the finale at Hockenheim.”
Mercedes Benz arrives in Hockenheim with all seven cars sporting the latest aero package, present in Christian Vietoris’ C-Coupe DTM in Zandvoort. The Stuttgart manufacturer will also bring some of their most successful drivers, having Lewis Hamilton, David Coulthard and Jean Alesi as guests.
TIMETABLE
The race will take place around the 4,574-kilometre circuit, located 60 miles south of Frankfurt. The race will start at 14:00, with a half hour delay regarding the traditional timetable, due to the debut of the Audi RS7 piloted concept on track.
The full timetable is as it follows:
Saturday 18th of October
09:00 – Free Practice 1
11:15 – Free Practice 2
14:45 – Qualifying Session
Sunday 19th of October
14:00 – Race (42 laps)
