First stop outside Germany: BMW teams continue the 2017 DTM season in Budapest.

Munich. After the first longer break in the 2017 DTM calendar, the BMW teams and drivers are now preparing for the fifth and sixth races of the season. Both races will take place on the tight Hungaroring, just outside Budapest (HUN), the Hungarian capital. Marco Wittmann (GER) claimed a victory there on his way to the 2014 DTM title.

The situation:
Timo Glock (GER) has 25 points after four races out of 18 and is currently the best-placed BMW representative in the drivers’ championship. Wittmann, Maxime Martin (BEL), Bruno Spengler (CAN) and Tom Blomqvist (GBR) have all scored points in 2017. BMW is currently in third position in the manufacturers’ standings, with 64 points. Mercedes leads the championship with 187 points.

After the DTM race at the Lausitzring (GER), the six BMW drivers competed in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring (GER). Wittmann, Blomqvist and Augusto Farfus (BRA), together with Martin Tomczyk (GER), reached fourth place overall in the #42 BMW M6 GT3 from the BMW Team Schnitzer. Martin and Spengler reached tenth and eleventh positions with their teams.

Glock had the honour of waving the chequered flag for the top cars at the 24-hour race - including the #98 BMW M6 GT3 in second place.

The expectations:

BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt: “After the DTM events in Hockenheim and at the Lausitzring, followed by the successful 24-hour race at the Nürburgring, we were able to pause for breath. Now we have the DTM races in Budapest. This is the first stop outside Germany this year. Although we have not managed to win any of the first few races of the season, we still feel the BMW M4 DTM is capable of winning. Our main focus is now on ensuring that we consistently exploit this potential, not only in qualifying but also in the races themselves, thus allowing us to achieve the kind of results we are after. That is our focus for the Budapest weekend.“

Stefan Reinhold (Team Principal, BMW Team RMG): “Our team used the last few weeks to take a breather and gather strength after the intensive pre-season preparation phase and the busy start to the season. We also worked simultaneously on analysing our performance in the races, to help us convert the qualifying results into good race results. We hope that our preparation for the challenging circuit in Budapest will show that we are making progress.”

Marco Wittmann (#11, Red Bull BMW M4 DTM – 60 races, 8 wins, 16 podiums, 8 pole positions, 541 points, 2 Drivers’ titles): “I really like the Hungaroring. It has a lot of tricky corners and is a big challenge for drivers. I won there in 2014 and have some good memories. I will also long remember my spectacular start there last year and the battle with Edoardo Mortara. This year, we need to improve our race pace and put our opponents under pressure.”

Augusto Farfus (#15, Shell BMW M4 DTM – 70 races, 4 wins, 12 podiums, 5 pole positions, 345 points): “In my opinion, Budapest is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Thanks to the relatively new asphalt, this is a nice circuit to drive on, even if overtaking is difficult. It’s about time for me to have a successful DTM weekend. I am optimistic that it will happen in Budapest.”

Timo Glock (#16, DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM – 60 races, 3 wins, 6 podiums, 2 pole positions, 238 points): “Budapest is always a highlight for me and I have always recorded good results there. I claimed my first Formula 1 podium at the Hungaroring. We drove fast in the DTM there last year. I had a lot of fun at the Big Show Run on 1st May and I hope that we got plenty of fans looking forward to the DTM weekend. I really look forward to the Hungarian fans who come to the track every time I am here. They have always given me great support.”

Bart Mampaey (Team Principal, BMW Team RBM): “We had good results at the Lausitzring with Maxime Martin and we are approaching the next DTM races at the Hungaroring full of motivation. This season, our drivers have shown over and again in qualifying that they are good enough for the top positions. We are now working hard to turn these good grid positions into good race results.”

Bruno Spengler (#7, BMW Bank BMW M4 DTM – 143 races, 14 wins, 45 podiums, 17 pole positions, 760 points, 1 Drivers’ title): “The Hungaroring is one of the most technically challenging tracks, constantly switching between slow, medium-paced and fast corners. Drivers always have something to concentrate on and don’t have any chance to take a break but it is great fun to drive. I reached the podium in 2014 and I really enjoy the atmosphere in Budapest and at the Hungaroring.”

Tom Blomqvist (#31, BMW Driving Experience M4 DTM – 40 races, 1 win, 5 podiums, 1 pole position, 174 points): “Budapest is one of the highlights of the DTM season: it’s a great circuit, the fans are superb and there is always a great show put on around the race. The Hungaroring remains a relatively new addition to the race calendar and is a welcome diversion for the drivers. The track is especially nice to drive in DTM cars. We seem to be very strong in qualifying this year. I hope that we can get a good grid position and then improve our pace in the race.”

Maxime Martin (#36, SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM – 50 races, 2 wins, 6 podiums, 2 pole positions, 248 points): “I have fond memories of scoring the first DTM points of my career at the Hungaroring in 2014. I like the circuit and I think that it is well suited to our BMW M4 DTM. Let’s see if that is still the case with the new regulations. In any case, I am looking forward to the weekend and the Hungarian fans, who love their motorsport.”

The history:

So far, there have been five DTM races at the Hungaroring. Marco Wittmann added his name to the list of winners in 2014, celebrating a start-finish win from pole position. Bruno Spengler also reached the podium, finishing in third place. Last season, António Félix da Costa (POR) was the only BMW driver to reach the top 3, doing so in the second race. The track is 4.381 kilometres in length and was opened in 1986.

The media schedule:

Thursday 15^th June

11:00-12:00, ITR Press Conference with Augusto Farfus, Gundel Restaurant, Budapest

Saturday 17^th June

16:55-17:05, mixed zone interviews with all BMW drivers, Media Center

Sunday 18^th June

09:15-09:45, interview session with BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt, BMW Motorsport Hospitality

17:25-17:35, mixed zone interviews with all BMW drivers, Media Center

The service:

BMW Motorsport will offer an innovative Chatbot service for journalists for the first time in the 2017 DTM season. This allows users to receive the latest information directly to their smartphone via WhatsApp Messenger. The information available includes driver statistics, statements and photos. You can register for the BMW Motorsport Chatbot at the following link: http://bit.ly/BMW_Motorsport_Media_Broadcast