Marco Wittmann: “This victory is just great”

BMW Team RMG driver Marco Wittmann enjoyed a perfect day at Assen, scoring the maximum number of points after achieving pole position and victory in race one.

The result makes up for the grim weekend Wittmann had at his home round two weeks ago at the Norisring, where he had to settle for a best finish of eighth and then suffered from engine issues in race two.

Wittmann set the fastest time in the qualifying session before it was red flagged, with the second run proving to be useless in terms of improving lap times for most.

In the race, the 29-year-old battled with Audi’s René Rast at the start and after their pit stop, and then with Audi’s Nico Müller before securing victory in the closing stages.

“Making a comeback after my difficult home race at the Norisring with pole position and victory here is a super feeling,” said Wittmann. “To earn the maximum number of available points is an outstanding result.”

Assen presented a fresh challenge for the DTM field as this is the first time the series races at the Dutch track. The difficulty became even greater as heavy rain fell over the track before and during the first half of the race.

“We had plenty of question marks about how the set-up and the car would work in the wet but everything went just fine,” added Wittmann. “Today, I had a mega good car, just sensational. Thanks to the team for that!

“However, it wasn’t as easy as it seemed. None of the drivers were familiar with such conditions and Audi was strong as well, particularly in the opening stages.”

Wittmann is now fourth in the championship, 45 points behind Rast. BMW Motorsport are second in the manufacturers’ standings, 120 points behind Audi Sport.

“Despite the difficult conditions, Marco showed his real class at the front and was in control during every phase of the race with a faultless performance and outstanding pace,” said the general manager for BMW Motorsport Vehicle Development Rudolf Dittrich.