Marco Wittmann (DE) finished runner-up in the penultimate race of the DTM season. In doing so, he extended his lead in the Drivers’ Championship ahead of the season finale on Sunday. Now with 194 points to his name, the BMW Team RMG driver holds a 17-point lead over his only remaining rival, Edoardo Mortara (IT, Audi), who finished third. Wittmann’s podium was the 70th for BMW since the manufacturer returned to the DTM in 2012, and his sixth of the 2016 season.
Behind Wittmann, António Félix da Costa (PT) crossed the finish line fourth in the BMW M4 DTM, having started from pole position for the second time in his DTM career. A further two BMW drivers finished in the points: Timo Glock (DE) was seventh in the DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM, while Tom Blomqvist (GB) came home ninth in the Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM. Augusto Farfus (BR) finished 11th in the Shell BMW M4 DTM. Maxime Martin (BE, SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM), Bruno Spengler (CA, BMW Bank M4 DTM) and Martin Tomczyk (DE, BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM) came home 13th, 14th and 20th. Victory went to Audi driver Miguel Molina (ES).
In the Team competition, BMW Team RMG is currently second with 268 points after 17 of the season’s 18 races. BMW is also second in the Manufacturers’ Championship with 610 points.
Reactions to the 17th DTM race of the 2016 season.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):
“As expected, that was hard work here in Hockenheim today. Marco Wittmann did a superb job and really earned his 18 points. We were unable to maintain our pace towards the end of the race, and the Audis had also saved some DRS. We saw some fair battles out there - that is exactly how it should be. Tomorrow, it will be important to show the same pace as we had in qualifying in the race itself. Whatever happens, we will give it our absolute all. Marco’s lead has grown again, and we now want to win the title with him tomorrow.”
Marco Wittmann (BMW Team RMG, 2nd place):
“That was a good race for us. On the whole, we had good pace and second place means we gained another three points on Edoardo Mortara. That was important. You have to acknowledge that he also drove a good race. Despite this, I am well-placed for tomorrow’s season finale. I will continue to focus solely on doing my job in the cockpit.”
António Félix da Costa (BMW Team Schnitzer, 4th place): “The first phase of the race was actually really good, but I was then unable to hang onto my place in the top three. It was an important day for BMW. I think we can all be satisfied with the fact that Marco Wittmann extended his lead in the championship. My second DTM pole position was obviously great. Next up tomorrow is the final race of my career in this series. I’m really looking forward to that.”
