Hand will run both DTM and ALMS, Werner will move to DTM
BMW Motorsport announced all but one of its 2012 American Le Mans Series drivers, and said that Dirk Werner would move from ALMS to DTM.
Werner’s move completes the DTM driver lineup; he will join Andy Priaulx, Augusto Farfus, Joey Hand, Martin Tomczyk, and Bruno Spengler in the new M3 DTM. (Text continues after photo)
Joey Hand will run both the DTM and ALMS series, with DTM the priority when there are conflicts. He will once again co-drive a BMW Team RLL M3 with Dirk Müller; the two drivers are defending ALMS GT class champions. Bill Auberlen will return to Team RLL, with Jörg Müller replacing Werner as his co-driver. Uwe Alzen, a BMW Motorsport driver for the past two seasons, becomes the fifth member of the team; he will compete at Sebring and Petit Le Mans, where three drivers run in each car. A sixth team member will be announced at later date.
Joey Hand said, “I am really looking forward to the ALMS. After all, it is something very special when you line up as the defending champion in a series. To win a title is one thing, but to defend it is perhaps even more difficult. BMW Team RLL has what it takes to maintain the immensely high standards it set last year. Everyone on the team is doing all they can to ensure we are successful. The fact that I will also be racing in the DTM gives me additional motivation. As a racing driver, you simply cannot spend enough time out on the track – especially at the wheel of a BMW M3.”
The ALMS season begins at Sebring on March 17, and the DTM season begins at the Hockenheimring on April 29.—Brian S. Morgan, motorsports editor, bmwcca.org
