Bruno Spengler ecstatic after first win in four years

Bruno Spengler braved the rain and changing conditions to take victory in the first race of the DTM weekend at the Norisring, the first for the Canadian in four years.

The 2012 champion has had a bumpy ride over the last few years, with his last victory way back at Spielberg in 2013.

Spengler qualified third for today’s grid and performed a textbook start to jump into the race lead. The Canadian stayed ahead and, when the track started drying, he mirrored his closest follower’s Maxime Martin’s and Audi’s Mattias Ekström’s pit strategies to maintain the lead until the chequered flag.

“I fought hard and I never gave up,” Spengler said after the race. “Of course, I am very happy, such a success is mega. The car was great, both in the rain and in dry conditions.”

The victory, a career 15th for Spengler, is also his fourth at the Nüremberg track: “I am absolutely delighted with this win. This is my fourth victory at the Norisring and the first win here for 25 years for BMW. I am very proud to have achieved that today and am really pleased for the whole team. They have worked so hard for this, and it has not always been easy for us. However, it finally worked out today.”

BMW motorsport director Jens Marquardt was equally happy to score the 25th DTM victory for Bavarian manufacturer since its return to the championship: “It is awesome to win here at the Norisring with Bruno Spengler. This is the 25th victory since we returned to the DTM and after 25 years without a win at the Norisring. Furthermore, this year marks the 50th anniversary of BMW in Lower Bavaria. It has all come together perfectly.”