The 2016 DTM season enters the finishing straight with races 15 and 16 in Budapest (HU). After the two races at the 4.381-kilometre Hungaroring on the outskirts of the Hungarian capital, only the grand season finale in Hockenheim (DE) in mid-October awaits the eight BMW drivers. Budapest certainly promises plenty of excitement in all three competitions.
Having claimed win number three of the season in Saturday’s race at the Nürburgring (DE), Marco Wittmann (DE) of BMW Team RMG now has 170 points to his name. He continues to lead the Drivers’ Championship and holds a 33-point lead over his closest rival, Audi driver Edoardo Mortara (IT).
With four races remaining, BMW Team RMG is first in the Team competition. Stefan Reinhold’s (DE) team leads the way with 228 points after its home win in the Eifel Mountains. BMW also tops the Manufacturers’ Championship with 521 points.
The DTM is making its third appearance at the Hungaroring. The first came back in 1988 and, like this year, featured two races. Back then, Markus Oestreich (DE) was the best-placed BMW driver in the BMW M3, finishing fourth twice. It then took 26 years for the DTM to return to Budapest. Wittmann was first across the finish line after 41 laps of racing in 2014. This victory was an important step towards winning the title that year. Bruno Spengler (CA) was third.
In Budapest, Martin Tomczyk (DE) will once again be at the wheel of the BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM in its special livery celebrating the centenary of the BMW Group in Budapest. Two of his fellow BMW drivers have already enjoyed an outing at the Hungaroring back in June: Tom Blomqvist (GB) and António Félix da Costa (PT) took to the track in a BMW M2 Coupé as part of a media event.
Quotes ahead of the eighth race weekend of 2016 in Budapest.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):
“The DTM season is drawing to a close, as Budapest heralds the final races of the year – time to look back briefly at the year so far. Rarely in the history of the DTM has a season been as evenly matched as this one. The measures introduced by everyone ahead of the season have had the effect predicted. In my eyes, race 14 is a fine example of what we have seen all season: the time differences were closer than ever, with just eight tenths of a second separating first and last place. That kind of time separates first from second in other racing series. All three manufacturers were represented in the top three in qualifying and the extremely exciting races. That is exactly what the fans want to see. With the packages being so evenly matched, the winner of the Drivers’ Championship will be the most consistent man. In the Manufacturers’ Championship and the team competition, the most compact team performance will be the key. We have done a good job so far in that regard, and that is why we top the standings. The important thing now is to keep our concentration and to convert it into good results at the final two race weekends. Two years ago, we enjoyed a successful first outing at the Hungaroring. As such, we go into the two races in a very determined fashion.”
Stefan Reinhold (Team Principal, BMW Team RMG):
“After the Nürburgring weekend, I hope we can take that momentum to Hungary and be successful there. Our two drivers showed that they like the Hungaroring the last time the DTM raced there in 2014. Both started from the front row, and Marco went on to win the race. The title race is now in its penultimate round. Just as we have done up to now, we must work hard and flawlessly to ensure the cars are as well prepared as possible. Everyone here really wants to have something to celebrate at the end of the season.”
Ernest Knoors (Team Principal, BMW Team MTEK):
“We can build on our performance at the Nürburgring, particularly Sunday’s qualifying. We are moving in the right direction. In principle, the Hungaroring really suits the BMW M4 DTM. Marco Wittmann won there in 2014 and was joined on the podium by Bruno Spengler. Therefore, the omens are good that we will have a successful weekend. However, the new asphalt surface will certainly shake things up.”
Bart Mampaey (Team Principal, BMW Team RBM):
“We have already claimed six podium finishes this season and both our drivers are well-placed in the Drivers’ Championship. I obviously hope we can score a lot of points again in Budapest. If we approach the weekend in such a focussed manner as we did the Nürburgring, we ought to have a chance of getting some good results again in Hungary. The race there in 2014 was quite an experience. The whole team is looking forward to returning there.”
Charly Lamm (Team Principal, BMW Team Schnitzer):
“There is no rest for the wicked in the closing stages of the DTM season. However, we like this biweekly rhythm. It obviously means a lot of work under tight time constraints, but that makes it easier to keep your adrenalin levels up. Although we were not happy with the results at the Nürburgring, we travel to Hungary fully-motivated. The important thing for us is to taste success again. I hope we can achieve that at the Hungaroring.”
Marco Wittmann (car number 11, BMW Team RMG):
“I think it is great to return to Budapest after a year away. I have fond memories of the circuit. I was very successful there in 2014, when I converted pole position into victory. A similar result would be nice this year. However, a lot has changed out on the track since the last time we raced there. For example, there is a new surface. That will be a challenge for all the drivers.”
Timo Glock (car number 16, BMW Team RMG):
“Budapest is always a highlight, as I have always enjoyed good results there in the past. For example, I claimed my first podium in Formula One at the Hungaroring. We were also fast there in the DTM in 2014. I am intrigued to see what effect the new asphalt will have, and am looking forward to the many Hungarian fans who will flock to the circuit. They have always given me fantastic support.”
Bruno Spengler (car number 7, BMW Team MTEK):
“I have fond memories of Budapest. Two years ago, the race went very well for us and I finished third to claim a spot on the podium. I also drove single-seaters at the Hungaroring earlier on in my career. It is a very technical circuit with many different corners. One little unknown is what effect the new asphalt will have. Whatever happens, people in Budapest are very passionate about motorsport.”
Augusto Farfus (car number 18, BMW Team MTEK):
“Budapest is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, with a lot of history. The Hungaroring is a circuit that I like. I have always been quick there and a good result would be the perfect start to the final phase of the season. The circuit has been re-surfaced. That was also the case in Spielberg this year – and that worked in our favour.”
Tom Blomqvist (car number 31, BMW Team RBM):
“I may not have driven in the DTM at the Hungaroring, but I know the circuit very well and won there in 2014 in Formula 3. I like the Hungaroring. In fact, it is one of my favourite tracks. Therefore, I am already really looking forward to racing there with the Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM. We obviously hope we can continue the good trend we have shown in recent races.”
Maxime Martin (car number 36, BMW Team RBM):
“The Hungaroring is a really great circuit. Two years ago we were really competitive in Budapest. I think that will be the case again. However, no weekend is the same in the DTM. And for me personally it will for sure be a special one, as I will compete as a father for the first time. The birth of my boy last week gave me a huge boost – so I’m definitely fired up to do well in Hungary.”
António Félix da Costa (car number 13, BMW Team Schnitzer):
“Budapest is always a great event. I have driven there once with the DTM, and scored my first points there. Because of this, I have fond memories of the Hungaroring and am looking forward to returning. I think the track ought to suit our car. Because the circuit has been re-surfaced, there should be a lot of grip. Plus, the Hungarian fans are fantastic.”
Martin Tomczyk (car number 100, BMW Team Schnitzer):
“I am really looking forward to Budapest. The track was completely re-surfaced. It will certainly be a challenge to set the car up, as the data we collected there two years ago is now a little less relevant. We were very good in Budapest back then, which gives us plenty of cause for optimism. The Hungaroring is a fantastic circuit and the fans are very enthusiastic. Therefore, I expect it to be a great weekend.”
