Hockenheim, Germany – BMW Motorsport claimed its first podiums of the year in race two of the 2016 DTM season, which was the 50th race since BMW returned to the DTM in 2012. Starting from sixth place on the grid in the DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM, Timo Glock (DE) fought his way through to finish runner-up at the Hockenheimring (DE). Augusto Farfus (BR) was third in the Shell BMW M4 DTM, having started from the front row in second place. Victory went to Paul di Resta (GB, Mercedes).

Maxime Martin (BE) finished just outside the podium places in fourth in the SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM. However, this represented his second points finish of the weekend after finishing eighth on Saturday. Tom Blomqvist (GB, Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM), Marco Wittmann (DE, Red Bull BMW M4 DTM) and Martin Tomczyk (DE, BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM) came home seventh, ninth and tenth, meaning six BMW drivers finished in the points.

Bruno Spengler (CA) was unfortunate to be involved in a collision shortly after the start, after which he was forced to retire the BMW Bank M4 DTM. One day after finishing seventh in the opening race of the season, António Félix da Costa (PT, BMW M4 DTM) also failed to finish after his car was damaged in an incident.

Reactions to the second race of the 2016 DTM season:

Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director): “We have taken a big step forward compared to race one on Saturday. Although we have not yet made it onto the top step of the podium, I am still very happy that we had six BMW M4 DTMs in the points on Sunday. I would like to pay a special compliment to Timo Glock and Augusto Farfus, who claimed our first podium finishes of the season. Congratulations to Paul di Resta and Mercedes on a dominant victory. We have seen great races with fierce battles, which I am sure spectators will have really enjoyed. Marco Wittmann had gear issues on Sunday, but was still able to finish in the points in ninth place. That was a fantastic effort. All in all, I am happy with this weekend. The crowds and weather were fantastic and have really whet the appetite for the next two races. Bring on Spielberg.”

Timo Glock (BMW Team RMG, 2nd place): “I am very happy with the result, particularly after Saturday’s disappointment. I had a very good start and a great fight with Robert Wickens, who was always fair. I would like to thank my new team, BMW Team RMG, and my race engineer for the outstanding job they have done. I am pleased to be able to take a trophy home to my wife on Mother’s Day.”

Bruno Spengler (BMW Team MTEK, Sun.: DNF, Sat.: 6th place): “I had a very good start and could probably have been looking at a top-seven finish. I think I could have scored some good points. However, I was pushed off the track in turn two. At first I thought it was Esteban Ocon, because his car hit my BMW M4 DTM. However, there was not actually anything he could have done to avoid it. He was pushed from behind and then took me out. Therefore, I must apologise to him, as I was a bit annoyed at first. It was just very unlucky, and a real shame.”

Facts and Figures

Circuit/length/duration:
Hockenheim, 4.574 kilometres, 60 minutes plus 1 lap

Conditions:
Sunny, 26 degrees Celsius

BMW Motorsport results:
#16 Timo Glock (DE), BMW Team RMG, DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM – 2nd place
#18 Augusto Farfus (BR), BMW Team MTEK, Shell BMW M4 DTM – 3rd place
#36 Maxime Martin (BE), BMW Team RBM, SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM – 4th place
#31 Tom Blomqvist (GB), BMW Team RBM, Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM – 7th place
#11 Marco Wittmann (DE), BMW Team RMG, Red Bull BMW M4 DTM – 9th place
#100 Martin Tomczyk (DE), BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM – 10th place
#13 António Félix da Costa (PT), BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW M4 DTM – DNF
#7 Bruno Spengler (CA), BMW Team MTEK, BMW Bank M4 DTM – DNF

Useful information:

BMW contested its 50th DTM race since returning to the series in 2012.

Augusto Farfus made his 12th appearance on the podium in his 50th DTM race. It was his first podium finish since race two in Oschersleben (DE) in 2015.

Timo Glock was back in the top three for the first time since his victory in race one in Oschersleben in 2015.

BMW has now achieved 238 podium finishes in its DTM history.

Bruno Spengler retired following a first-lap collision, which was no fault of his own.

António Félix da Costa was forced to retire after several contacts with other cars.

The BMW cars were carrying an additional five kilograms of performance weight after Sunday’s qualifying.