Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Global
Testing report

BMW gives Martin and Leimer test drives

Fabio Leimer

Fabio Leimer

XPB Images

Maxime Martin and Fabio Leimer test drive the BMW M3 DTM. Marco is also in action.

Fabio Leimer
Fabio Leimer

Photo by: xpb.cc

“We are pleased to be able to offer Maxime and Fabio a taste of the DTM,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “Maxime has earned this opportunity through his impressive performances on the GT circuit. Over the course of the season, he has emphatically demonstrated his talent at the wheel of the BMW Z4 GT3 on several occasions. We know Fabio from his time in Formula BMW. He has already won races in the GP2 series, so we believe that he will also find his feet quickly in the BMW M3 DTM. Marco Wittmann will also be in the cockpit for us. We are looking forward to seeing the three talented drivers in action.”

Martin is a late starter in Motorsport. He started his career in 2005 in the MINI Challenge in Belgium, finishing second overall in his first season and winning the MINI Challenge World Final in Misano (IT) in the same year. Already 20 years old he started 2006 in the Belgian Formula Renault series. The son of iconic Belgian racing driver Jean-Michel Martin (BE) has primarily been racing on the GT circuit since 2008 – and with great success. Martin currently leads the Drivers’ Championship in the Blancpain Endurance Series alongside Markus Palttala (FI) and Bas Leinders (BE), and also finished fourth at the 24-hour races at the Nürburgring (DE) and Spa-Francorchamps (BE) in the BMW Z4 GT3 run by Marc VDS Racing.

I will enjoy every kilometre in the BMW M3 DTM and give it my all.

Maxime Martin

“I am very grateful to BMW for this opportunity,” said Martin. “I have a packed 2012 racing programme behind me, including racing with the BMW Z4 GT3. I have come to know BMW as a great brand. I have already really enjoyed working together with BMW on the GT scene and am sure that it will also be the case on my foray into the world of DTM. This test will give me a lot of motivation ahead of the season finale of the Blancpain Endurance Series on 14th October. We are determined to win the title for BMW in Navarra. Before then, I will enjoy every kilometre in the BMW M3 DTM and give it my all.”

Leimer took his first steps in single-seater racing in 2006 in the German Formula BMW series. Since then, he has gained experience and tasted success in many different racing series. In 2009 the 23-year-old won the title in the International Formula Masters before switching to GP2 Asia. In 2010 he stepped up to the GP2 series, where he has already claimed two wins. “It is always exciting for a racing driver to take to the track in an unfamiliar car,” said Leimer. “The BMW M3 DTM looks fantastic and has already proven it is capable of winning in the DTM. It is fantastic to be able to try this car for myself soon. I have only heard good things about the new generation of DTM cars and so am really looking forward to getting a more accurate idea of just how good they are.”

BMW M3 DTM on track
BMW M3 DTM on track

Photo by: xpb.cc

Source: BMW

Be part of Motorsport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Frustrating seventh place for Paffett at Zandvoort
Next article Spengler claims pole position for BMW at Oschersleben

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Global