BMW expecting to gain momentum at Spielberg

The second round of the 2016 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season beckons this weekend with the series visiting the Red Bull Ring. BMW Motorsport hopes that the performance shown at the season opener two weeks ago will be confirmed in the Austrian Alps.

The Bavarian manufacturer had an eventful first round of the season in Hockenheim, with a discreet performance on the first race but a double podium finish on the second, scoring a good handful of points despite Timo Glock’s exclusion from Sunday’s race, due to a technical infringement.

BMW arrives to the Red Bull Ring in second place in the Manufacturers’ table, 22 points behind Mercedes AMG, and with Maxime Martin as the best placed driver in the standings in fifth place. The Belgian from team RBM is looking forward to the Styrian round of the season: “I think we have a good chance of scoring some valuable points for BMW. The track itself is very undulating and has a very long straight. However, the most fascinating thing is the scenery. There are few places so beautiful.”

2014 champion Marco Wittmann has fond memories of the Spielberg track, and is looking to perform well at the home of his title sponsor: “I claimed my first podium there, and actually won in 2014. It is, so to speak, the home race for my new partner Red Bull. I am looking forward to seeing a lot of fans at the track, who will be supporting us and cheering us on. It is certainly going to be a special weekend.”

BMW had a tough weekend in the Red Bull Ring last year, but the new performance weight regulations, as well as the technical concessions made to the Munich outfit before the beginning of the season have allowed the M4 DTMs to perform well so far, facing the weekend’s first qualifying session at their base weight of 1,112.5 kilos, the lightest among the competitors.

Jens Marquardt, BMW Motorsport Director, hopes to renew old triumphs at Spielberg in order to remain on the championship’s trail: “The opening round of the DTM season in Hockenheim was eventful for us, in many regards. With two podium finishes and a handsome points haul behind us, we now travel to Spielberg with the aim of backing up our performances, particularly those shown on the Sunday. We have some fond memories of this beautiful racetrack in the mountains. We claimed a one-two-three there in 2013, and then a top-four lock-out the following year. Furthermore, it is also the home circuit of our premium partner Red Bull. Therefore, we hope that Styria will prove to be a happy stomping ground for us again in 2016.”

Action at the Red Bull Ring starts on Friday at 17:00 CEST for the first free practice session.