The DTM has reached the final leg of its season as they head to Oschersleben this weekend for races 13 and 14 of the year, which will take place from September 11-13. After travelling the last three race weekends elsewhere in Europe, the DTM now returns home to Germany. BMW Motorsport will be looking to continue their recent success of a pole position and three podiums in the two most recent races at the Moscow Raceway.
BMW enjoys a fine record at the 3.696-kilometer circuit. The Bavarian manufacturer has claimed two victories and two pole positions in the three races at the Oschersleben Motorsport Arena since returning to the DTM in 2012. Whenever a BMW driver has started from the front of the grid in Oschersleben, he has gone on to be crowned DTM champion at the end of the year: in 2012, Bruno Spengler started the race from pole position en route to the Drivers’ title, while Marco Wittmann achieved the same feat in 2014. Spengler went on to claim a dominant win, having led the race from start to finish. Wittmann, on the other hand, was unfortunate in an eventful race with three safety car phases, eventually coming home 19th at the end of what was the second race of the season. Victory number two for BMW in Oschersleben came courtesy of Augusto Farfus in 2013. The Brazilian, who drives for BMW Team RBM, started from second and ended the season as the runner-up in the Drivers’ Championship.
The circuit at the Oschersleben Motorsport Arena is technically demanding. Both top speed and perfect handling are vital to fast lap times. The lap record is held by former DTM driver Joey Hand , who clocked a time of 1:21.255 minutes back in 2013 in the BMW M3 DTM.
You can stream the race live on YouTube via the DTM Channel.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):
“After three race weekends outside Germany, over the course of which we claimed nine podiums, the 2015 DTM season is slowly but surely entering the finishing straight. We are now looking forward to the final third of the season in front of our home fans. We have a good record in Oschersleben so far: two wins and two pole positions in three years is not to be sniffed at. We will certainly do our best to make life as difficult as possible for the opposition there again. The fans in the Magdeburger Börde can definitely look forward to an action-packed weekend, as the DTM is producing more exciting races and dramatic scenes than ever in 2015. I am sure that will be the case in Oschersleben too.”
Stefan Reinhold (Team Principal, BMW Team RMG):
“Oschersleben suits us. We proved this last year with the pole position. I hope we will have more luck in the race than we did in 2014. The weather – pouring rain – did not exactly play into our hands. Then we had a mechanical problem on Marco Wittmann’s car, which was our own fault and cost us points. After second place for Marco and fourth for Maxime Martin in Moscow last time out, I am confident that we will also have a word in who finishes on the podium in Oschersleben.”
Charly Lamm (Team Principal, BMW Team Schnitzer):
“For us, it was important to move on from Moscow as quickly as possible. We have analysed both races and are now looking ahead. The circuit in Oschersleben is demanding, with a wide range of different corner types coming in a short space. The many changes of direction require a good rhythm from the drivers. Above all, it will be important to get the DTM cars over the kerbs well. It is difficult to overtake at this circuit, so we will have to put our foot down in qualifying and try to achieve the best possible result.”
Bart Mampaey (Team Principal, BMW Team RBM):
“We have always looked pretty good in the Motorsport Arena in the past. In 2013 Augusto Farfus won to take his place on the top step of the podium. In the same year, our former DTM driver Joey Hand set a lap record that still stands today. We were also the best-placed BMW team in 2014. We obviously have our sights set on continuing this fine record. However, the DTM is unpredictable this season. We will only know exactly how good we are after qualifying on Saturday.”
Ernest Knoors (Team Principal, BMW Team MTEK):
“My team has found extra strength after the good results in Moscow, with two podiums from two races. Although our record in Oschersleben has room for improvement, as far as results are concerned, I am confident about the races at the Motorsport Arena. In Oschersleben, even more than on any other track, qualifying performance is vital. If we get that right, we will hopefully be in contention for podium finishes again.”
Marco Wittmann (car number 1, BMW Team RMG):
“I won a few races in Oschersleben during my time in single-seater racing. Therefore, I always enjoy returning to the circuit. Last year’s DTM weekend here started really well for me. I secured pole position and was enjoying a good race. However, I then made a slight mistake and was then stopped by a mechanical problem. I hope we can complete the races this time and, if possible, get on that top step of the podium.”
Maxime Martin (car number 36, BMW Team RMG):
“Oschersleben offers a good mix of fast and slow corners. As a driver, you are constantly working on the steering wheel and pedals. There are no long straights, which makes overtaking difficult. The kerbs are also important in Oschersleben. Because of this the car must be set up to make sure you get over the kerbs well.”
Martin Tomczyk (car number 77, BMW Team Schnitzer):
“This season it is hard to judge how things will go. The DTM has been full of surprises this year, as far as the performance of the different manufacturers at the different circuits is concerned. The track in Oschersleben is narrow and there are few overtaking opportunities. For this reason, qualifying will be key to a good position in the race.”
António Félix da Costa (car number 13, BMW Team Schnitzer):
“I like the circuit and think it really suits the DTM and our BMW M4 DTM. I enjoyed one of my best qualifying sessions there last year, so I am looking forward to returning. However, in the DTM you always have to get everything right in order to be successful. We will work hard to make that possible in Oschersleben.”
Augusto Farfus (car number 18, BMW Team RBM):
“I won in Oschersleben in 2013 and have always finished in the points there. For this reason, I have very fond memories of the track and am very motivated coming into the weekend. The circuit demands a lot of downforce, which usually suits us. Although we have had a tough season so far, I think it could be a good weekend. My goal is to pick up some points.”
Tom Blomqvist (car number 31, BMW Team RBM):
“We really haven’t had long to wait for the next race this time. That is obviously the best possible news for us racing drivers, as we always want to get in the car as often as possible and for as long as possible. We tested in Oschersleben before the season, so I know the circuit in a DTM car. It will be interesting to see how we get on there, as it is impossible to predict anything this season. We will certainly do our very best.”
Bruno Spengler (car number 7, BMW Team MTEK):
“Oschersleben is a very demanding circuit – and that also goes for the fitness of the drivers, as there are a lot of corners, a lot of bumps, and few sections in which you can catch a breather. It is particularly important for the car to have very good traction there. Personally, I really like the atmosphere in Oschersleben, as the people in that region are real motorsport fans.”
Timo Glock (car number 16, BMW Team MTEK):
“We have always looked pretty good in Oschersleben so far. We must now wait and see whether that is also the case this year. We tested there before the season, so I think we are well prepared. As we do every weekend, we will strive to get the best possible result for our team and BMW.”
With just three race weekends left in the season, BMW Motorsport follows Audi in the Manufacturer's Championship by 95 points and Mercedes-Benz AMG by 67 points.—Nate Risch
