Reactions to the tenth DTM race in Hockenheim

Hockenheim (DE), 20th October 2013. Timo Glock (DE) claimed the first win of his DTM career at the season finale in Hockenheim (DE). The BMW Team MTEK driver was joined on the podium by Bruno Spengler (CA). The fifth victory of the season helped BMW defend its title in the Manufacturers’ Championship. Read here what BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt, the team principals and the eight drivers had to say after the final race of the season.

Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):
“That was an incredibly exciting finale to the season, with a fantastic outcome for us. We witnessed a sensational race from Timo Glock and BMW Team MTEK – it was hard to beat in terms of excitement. Timo showed his strong nerves to claim his first win and second podium of the year in his tenth DTM race: all in all it has been a great debut year for Timo. Bruno Spengler and Andy Priaulx also drove great races, while Dirk Werner also finished in the points. Thanks to the good team performance, we also managed to win the Manufacturers’ Championship. That is a great conclusion to what has, at times, not been a particularly easy season for us. In the end we have five wins and four pole positions to our name, have also won the Manufacturers’ Championship, finished second in the Team competition, as well as picking up the unofficial ‘Rookie of the Year’ title and the award for the fastest pit crew with BMW Team Schnitzer – we can certainly be happy with that. Furthermore, we were able to bid farewell to the BMW M3 from the DTM with the car’s 51st victory in front of a great backdrop. Despite the poor weather, there were still a lot of spectators at the track. That was very nice to see. Congratulations again to ‘Rocky’, Audi and the Phoenix team on winning the Drivers’ Championship and Team competition.”

Ernest Knoors (Team Principal, BMW Team MTEK):
“This victory feels incredible. It is fantastic for us, as a fledgling team, to win the final race of the season in Hockenheim in our rookie year. Eleven months ago our team did not even exist. Over the past ten races we have worked together to achieve a position we can be proud of. We never doubted ourselves, even when there were difficult phases this year. It was clear to us it would not be easy to be successful in this closely fought series. However, we embraced the challenge. Timo Glock did a great job in 2013, gradually coming to terms with the DTM, and produced a performance today in difficult conditions without any sign of nerves. He is simply a superb driver. The same goes for Marco Wittmann, who has been magnificent in his first year with our new team. And we are obviously all delighted that BMW is once again the top manufacturer. We will now head into the break on a real high.”

Charly Lamm (Team Principal, BMW Team Schnitzer):
“Although we had obviously set our sights on more, having started from the front row of the grid, we can leave Hockenheim with a positive feeling. We were determined to get back among the front-runners at the end of the season – and we managed that. The rain made the race really challenging. Given the circumstances, we can be happy with the result. Bruno Spengler finished third in the Drivers’ Championship, and Dirk Werner was also in the points, which contributed towards BMW defending its Manufacturers’ title. Congratulations also to Timo Glock and BMW Team MTEK. I am particularly proud that Hankook recognised our crew for the fastest pit stops over the course of the year. Our team deserves a huge compliment.”

Stefan Reinhold (Team Principal, BMW Team RMG):
“Congratulations to BMW on winning the Manufacturers’ Championship – and to Timo Glock and Ernest Knoors of BMW Team MTEK on their first win. All in all it has been a difficult year for us, and even today’s race was anything but easy. Andy Priaulx lost time and positions over the course of the race. Martin Tomczyk had several contacts, which did not exactly help us. Under normal circumstances we could have had both cars in the points. However, we gained a lot of positive experience, particularly in yesterday’s qualifying, which we will now take with us into the winter break. I would like to say a big thank you to my team. We never gave up.”

Bart Mampaey (Team Principal, BMW Team RBM):
“We can look back on a positive 2013 season. Three wins, a pole position and a number of podiums with Augusto, plus a lot of races with Joey Hand in the points: we can be happy with that. Despite this, it is obviously a shame we did not get our hands on any trophies. It is fantastic that BMW was able to defend the Manufacturers’ title. Congratulations also to Timo Glock on his win. We will now take a lot of positive impressions back to Belgium and will prepare intensely for the coming year to ensure we come back as strong as possible.”

Timo Glock (car number 22, BMW Team MTEK, 1st):
Tyres: Wet-Wet-Wet
“What a day! My car was incredibly good all weekend. I would like to dedicate this win to my former colleagues Maria de Villota and Sean Edwards. I knew both of them well and really regret their tragic deaths. We have set the car up differently since Zandvoort. That lifted us to a completely new level. Thank you to my guys for the great job they have done – particularly during the pit stops. Thanks also to BMW for giving me this chance in the DTM as a former Formula One driver. I am pleased I was able to repay that faith today. Finally, I would like to apologise to Augusto. I was squeezed out while braking into the first hairpin and ended up on the slippery white line. That meant I was not able to brake hard enough and unfortunately hit his car. It was a very unfortunate situation. That sort of thing should not happen between drivers racing for the same manufacturer.”

Bruno Spengler (car number 1, BMW Team Schnitzer, 3rd):
Tyres: Wet-Wet-Wet
“Congratulations to Timo Glock on his first win in the DTM. I was actually hoping for more from the race after yesterday’s pole position. Third is definitely a good result though – particularly in these difficult conditions. I was able to pull away from the field at the start of the race. However, as the track dried out I was unable to match the pace of the other front-runners. Although I failed to finish in the points at four of the races this season, I still ended up third in the Drivers’ Championship. BMW has won the Manufacturers’ Championship. We will celebrate tonight.”

Andy Priaulx (car number 16, BMW Team RMG, 6th):
Tyres: Wet-Wet-Wet
“I am happy to have finished sixth. I had a good start, a solid race and BMW won the Manufacturers’ Championship, which is what we all aimed to do, and I am proud to have contributed big time to that today. The track was greasy and difficult. Obviously different sets of tyres produced different levels of grip.”

Dirk Werner (car number 2, BMW Team Schnitzer, 8th):
Tyres: Wet-Wet-Wet
“That is definitely not the dream result I was hoping for after starting from second on the grid. I somehow struggled on my first set of wet tyres, and the other drivers were able to pass me too easily. My car was then very strong towards the end of the race and I was able to make up a few positions. Despite this, I am pleased I was able to contribute to BMW winning the Manufacturers’ title today. In doing so, we achieved the main goal we set ourselves coming into this race.”

Augusto Farfus (car number 7, BMW Team RBM, 11th):
Tyres: Wet-Wet-Wet
“I think I could have had a very strong race without the contact in turn two. This cost me the race, it was as simple as that. I then had a damaged car, was far behind and had to make up positions. You end up having to do the race on the back foot. However, we have to look at the big picture and the big picture is very positive. It is great that BMW has won the Manufacturers’ Championship for the second year in a row.”

Martin Tomczyk (car number 15, BMW Team RMG, 19th):
Tyres: Wet-Wet -Option-Wet
“The conditions were very difficult today. It was all going great for me at the start, and I was able to move up from 11th to fifth. However, the race did not go my way after that. Our strategy did not work out and I was involved in a number of battles for position. I found myself in the gravel twice, and consequently lost a lot of ground. We then put all our eggs in one basket and switched to slicks. Unfortunately that did not pay off. Despite it being a difficult season for me, I am obviously pleased with BMW’s success. Congratulations also to Timo Glock on his win.”

Joey Hand (car number 8, BMW Team RBM, 20th):
Tyres: Wet-Wet-Option
“On the lap to the grid the car felt like it had very little grip. I knew what we needed to have a quick car, as we had been fast here in winter testing and at the first race, but from the start of the race it was the same car we had had all weekend. I just couldn't keep the car on the track. I did catch the pack in front of me and was able to pass a few cars, but then I got called into the pits to put slicks on. After that I lost about seven seconds a lap. It was a tough way to end the season for me.”

Marco Wittmann (car number 21, BMW Team MTEK, 21st):
Tyres: Wet-Wet-Option
“It is great for the team that we can head into the winter break on the back of a win. Congratulations to Timo Glock, and to BMW on winning the title. Personally, I am obviously disappointed with my final race. We switched to slicks too early, after things had actually looked really good for a while. I lost a few positions at the start, but was able to fight my way back. Despite this, I will take a lot of positives from my first season in the DTM. The title of ‘Rookie of the Year’ is great – and I am hungry for more.”

BMW Group