BMW factory driver overhaul adds two names to series
Proven Maxime Martin and youngster António Félix da Costa join the DTM ranks.
Maxime Martin
XPB Images
Munich (DE), 6th December 2013. With one day to go before the traditional season review in BMW Welt in Munich (DE), BMW Motorsport has already set the direction it will be going in for the coming season. In the DTM, two new drivers are being given the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the new BMW M4 DTM. Maxime Martin (BE) is promoted from test and development driver to a regular seat, while BMW Motorsport will also send António Félix da Costa (PT) into action as one of its eight DTM drivers.
Maxime Martin is now ready to prove himself in the DTM.
Twenty seven-year-old Martin has been particularly successful with the Marc VDS Racing team from Belgium. In 2012 and 2013 he finished runner-up and third overall in the Blancpain Endurance Series. Last season he was instrumental in BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS claiming second place at the Nürburgring 24 Hours (DE). In 2013 Martin also raced for BMW Team RLL in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), claiming GT victory in Long Beach (US) alongside Bill Auberlen (US). “It was always my goal to use my year as test and development driver to put forward my case for a DTM seat,” said Martin. “I am very proud to have achieved that goal. Thank you very much to BMW Motorsport for the very informative past year and for their faith in me. I will do my very best to be successful in the DTM.”
Twenty two-year-old Félix da Costa arrives in the DTM with a wealth of experience in single-seater racing. Having raced in the Formula 3 Euro Series and GP3 Championship, the Portuguese driver joined the Red Bull Junior team in 2012. He crowned his 2012 season by winning the legendary Formula 3 race in Macau (CN). In 2013 Félix da Costa finished third overall in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series and took part in Formula One testing. “It is an honour for me to drive for such a big manufacturer as BMW,” he said. “Switching from single-seater racing to touring cars is a new experience, but the cars are great to drive. The DTM is a top-class racing series – and I can’t wait to get stuck into this challenge.”
BMW AG
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