DTM Class 1 era draws to a close at Hockenheim: Jonathan Aberdein finishes in seventh place.

Hockenheim. The Class 1 era in the DTM has drawn to a close with the 18th and final race of the 2020 DTM season at Hockenheim (GER). Jonathan Aberdein (RSA) was the best-placed BMW driver, finishing seventh in his CATL BMW M4 DTM. Behind him, Timo Glock (GER, iQOO BMW M4 DTM) finished eighth to conclude the season as the best-placed BMW driver in the overall standings, in fifth place with 120 points. 
 
Philipp Eng (AUT, ZF BMW M4 DTM) and Sheldon van der Linde (RSA, Shell BMW M4 DTM) crossed the finish line in ninth and tenth positions. The South African driver finished sixth in the drivers’ standings. Marco Wittmann (GER) secured eleventh place in the final race in his Schaeffler BMW M4 DTM and completed the season in ninth place overall. Lucas Auer (AUT, BMW Bank M4 DTM) crossed the finish line in 16th place on Sunday. BMW scored 500 points in the manufacturers’ standings.
 
Between 1984 and 1992 and from 2012 to 2020, BMW competed in a total of 339 DTM races, recording 89 wins, 307 podiums and 75 pole positions. A BMW driver claimed the drivers’ title six times: Volker Strycek in 1984 (GER), Eric van de Poele in 1987 (BEL), Roberto Ravaglia in 1989 (ITA), Bruno Spengler in 2012 (CAN), and Marco Wittmann in 2014 and 2016. Since the DTM comeback in 2012, BMW has completed 140 races and celebrated more than 40 wins. The manufacturers’ title went to Munich (GER) in 2012, 2013 and 2015.
 
Reactions to the 18^th DTM race of the 2020 season.
 
Jens Marquardt:
“We are all getting a bit nostalgic after the final race of the Class 1 era in the DTM. Since our DTM comeback in 2012, we have enjoyed some fantastic times at BMW Motorsport, celebrating numerous titles and wins together. Unfortunately, the 2020 season did not go as we had hoped – and the two final races at Hockenheim did nothing to change that. Nonetheless, I would like to thank the entire team for their tireless effort, the pure passion and readiness to battle right to the end and constantly give their all – after wins and defeats, this mentality is always what drives us on at BMW and allows us to overcome every situation. I would also like to express our appreciation for our DTM partners of many years’ standing and thank them for their loyalty and support, and the great collaboration in recent years. Personally, I will continue to follow future races as a fan of BMW Motorsport. Congratulations to René Rast on his third DTM championship title. He has made his made his mark on the racing series over recent years.”
 
Marco Wittmann (#11 Schaeffler BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMG, Grid: 16^th, Race: 11^th, Drivers’ standings: 9^th, 95 points):
“I had hoped to make up for earlier disappointment at the end of the Class 1 era, but unfortunately we weren’t really competitive over the whole weekend. With that in mind, I have to admit that I am happy that this difficult season is over. But I am also looking to the future with confidence, especially after the plans for the coming years announced this weekend by Gerhard Berger and his team. That all looks very promising. Many thanks to the whole team, and to RMG and BMW Motorsport. They deserve massive respect for completing this season despite the extremely difficult pandemic conditions. The past months have been very tough for them, with so many races close together. They didn’t even make it home between some of the races. We have all earned a bit of a break.”
 
Timo Glock (#16 iQOO BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMG, Grid: 9^th, Race: 8^th, Driver’s standings: 5^th, 120 points):
“Of course, it is a shame that the DTM as we know it is drawing to a close, but when one door closes, another opens. That is why we have to keep looking forward and wait to see what the future brings. It is little consolation that I completed the season as the best BMW driver, as it was not our aim to finish fifth. Audi simply did a better job this year, we have to recognize that. However, I am quite happy with my performance when I think back over the last year. I can only thank my guys and the whole RMG team. Everyone has done a great job in recent years, always providing me with a superb car. That is why I am wrapping up this season with mixed feelings.”
 
Lucas Auer (#22 BMW Bank M4 DTM, BMW Team RMR, Grid: 14^th, Race: 16^th, Drivers’ standings: 12^th, 51 points):
“That was a season of ups and downs. My victory at the Lausitzring was a real highlight. Towards the end of the season, we were no longer able to build on that success. Nonetheless, I am thankful for this season and for the support from BMW Team RMG and BMW Motorsport. Now I am looking ahead with a positive mindset and looking forward to what awaits me.”
 
Philipp Eng (#25 ZF BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RBM, Grid: 11^th, Race: 10^th, Drivers’ standings: 13^th, 48 points):
“This race marks the conclusion of what has been a character-building year for me. If I am being honest, not everything has gone well. In qualifying and during the final laps of the race, I attempted to enjoy every metre in the BMW M4 DTM. Who knows when I will once again be able to drive such a fast racing car. Many thanks to everyone from BMW Team RBM for three great years that have seen me make friends for life. Thanks as well to BMW Motorsport for giving me the chance to drive in the DTM. Now I am really looking forward to the career challenges that the future holds. I am still young and have a lot of plans for the coming years.”
 
Jonathan Aberdein (#27 CATL BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMR, Grid: 5^th, Race: 7^th, Drivers’ standings: 11^th, 62 points):
“That was a very tough race. Our competitors once again delivered a significant improvement compared to yesterday. I gave my all and scored some more points by finishing seventh, but in all honesty, that was the most I could have achieved today. Nonetheless, I would like to thank BMW Team RBM for their great support this season. I think that we looked pretty good during the final races, compared to our BMW team-mates, but of course I would have preferred to be competing for wins and podiums.”
 
Sheldon van der Linde (#31 Shell BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RBM, Grid: 12^th, Race: 9^th, Drivers’ standings: 6^th, 108 points):
“It has always been my dream to drive one of these fantastic cars in the DTM. I managed to do that for two years and celebrated my first win this season. That was very important for me. It’s a shame that the Class 1 era is now over. Many thanks to BMW Team RBM and to BMW Motorsport for their support. I feel right at home here.”