BMW reactions to victory at Nürburgring

Reactions of the BMW team principals and drivers after the sixth DTM race of 2012 at the Nürburgring.

Winner Bruno Spengler, BMW Team Schnitzer BMW M3 DTM

Photo by: xpb.cc

Nürburgring, 19th August 2012. With another two podium finishes and Bruno Spengler’s (CA) victory at the Nürburgring (DE), BMW Motorsport has made the perfect start to the second half of the DTM season. Read here what the three BMW team principals and six drivers had to say after the race.

Charly Lamm (Team Principal, BMW Team Schnitzer): “I am almost lost for words. Pole position and then leading the race from start to finish – absolutely unbelievable. This is one of the nicest triumphs for BMW Team Schnitzer. It was not an easy weekend. Initially, the car was not how our drivers wanted it to be. However, we managed to find the right set-up for today’s conditions. A huge compliment goes to the BMW engineers and our team. The pit crew also produced a flawless performance today. We just like the Nürburgring and have experienced countless moving moments here. The fact we have notched up another such moment in the DTM is very special.”

Stefan Reinhold (Team Principal, BMW Team RMG): “First I have to thank all the supporters we had here. It was fantastic and a great experience for everyone in the team. Martin did a great job again. He is still the champion and we see that every race as for the third consecutive time he is on the podium. Also thanks to Joey, as it was really difficult for him and he had a lot to do this weekend. Next weekend in Zandvoort I expect things to be better for him, as we learnt a lot here with him. Congratulations also to BMW Team Schnitzer on its victory.”

Bart Mampaey (Team Principal, BMW Team RBM): “It was a fantastic victory for BMW so congratulations to Bruno and Martin. After 40 years of M it could not have been a better result for BMW. For our team, we have to analyse the start of the race because we lost a lot of positions in the first couple of corners for Augusto. Then it became a strategic race with Timo Scheider and Filipe Albuquerque. We finished tenth with one point and there was not a lot more we could do. With Andy, again he made up some positions at the start, which was good. Unfortunately he was never able to find a rhythm because he was hit by Christian Vietoris on lap five so he lost a lot of time. All credit to Andy that he finished the race. We gave him an old set of tyres for the last stint so the pace is not representative of the pace of the package. We wanted to give him the mileage and just to get him to the end of the race, but I know they were very difficult conditions for him.”

Bruno Spengler (car number 7, BMW Team Schnitzer, 1st): “I wake up every morning and think about how I can win the next race. That is what I live for – my passion - and then I actually win on this weekend, which is so special for BMW. It is unbelievable. We are celebrating 40 years of BMW M. Martin, with his third place, and I have given BMW a nice birthday present. My car was fantastic today. I had to push unbelievably hard, particularly in the first stint, as the opposition really applied pressure. However, I was able to defend my lead. I’d like to say a big thank you to BMW Team Schnitzer. The team once again showed what it is capable of this weekend.”

Martin Tomczyk (car number 1, BMW Team RMG, 3rd): “I am very proud of my third place. To move up from fifth to third in the race is simply excellent. Everything came together. The weekend did not begin so well for us. However, everyone in the BMW team gave their all to make the car faster on this track. We achieved that very well. I am very happy with our performance here and hope we can cause a few more surprises. Thank you to BMW Team RMG and congratulations to Bruno!”

Augusto Farfus (car number 16, BMW Team RBM, 10th): “It was a very hot and difficult race. The start was very, very tricky so it cost me a lot of places. Then afterwards the race was pretty much dictated by the traffic. I think we could have optimised the race strategy, but it is important at this stage to just carry on and finish all the races to learn the weaknesses and the strengths of our package. I am obviously happy to pick up the point for tenth place.”

Dirk Werner (car number 8, BMW Team Schnitzer, 12th): “It was not easy today. At the start I was on the inside for turn one and I was stuck a little, then for turn two I was on the outside, which was the wrong side. I then got a hit on my left rear and I had to go into the dirt and lost a couple of places. I think I came back in 11th and then we tried everything we could with the pit strategy and pushing as hard as I could. For me personally I am disappointed, but for the team I am really happy. It is great for BMW with Bruno winning again and Martin on the podium. So I think overall for BMW it is an unbelievable result and it is great to be part of the team.”

Joey Hand (car number 2, BMW Team RMG, 18th): “I think this was perhaps the worst race and the toughest day of my career. It wasn’t good from the word go. I knew this on the laps before the race, as the car still didn’t feel right. We tried some stuff at the start, but I was just a sitting duck. I had a good start – probably my best start all year – and then got bumped and moved around and just couldn’t hold position. I went to the very back and then tried to fight with the car but could do nothing.”

Andy Priaulx (car number 15, BMW Team RBM, 19th): “I had a good start and felt very racy and positive at the beginning. The car felt brilliant when I went out for the reconnaissance laps and I was very happy with the balance on the first five laps until Christian Vietoris hit me and then my race was over as there was damage to the right rear. I don’t know exactly what was wrong, but my steering was out and the aerodynamics were broken. Under normal circumstances I could have finished further up the field, so I am disappointed as I ended up at the back. Despite that, it is a fantastic day for BMW.”

Source: BMW