It was a tough day for Bruno Spengler at Zanvoort.
BMW Team RMG wins the Team competition, Martin is 'Rookie of the Year'
Zandvoort, Netherlands – In the first race since Marco Wittmann (DE) was crowned DTM Drivers' champion, BMW Team RMG sealed the Team title in Zandvoort (NL). Team principal Stefan Reinhold's (DE) outfit ended the penultimate race of the season with Wittmann in second place – his fifth podium of the year – and sixth place for Maxime Martin (BE, SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM). With 193 points to its name, BMW Team RMG now goes into the season finale in Hockenheim (DE) with an unassailable lead. Martin is also assured of the "Rookie of the Year" title, making him the successor to team-mate and new DTM champion Wittmann.
At the end of a turbulent 43-lap race at the "Circuit Park Zandvoort", with four safety car periods, Wittmann brought the Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM home 7.4 seconds behind winner Mattias Ekström (SE, Audi). Third place went to Martin Tomczyk (DE) in the BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM. The BMW Team Schnitzer driver stepped onto the podium for the first time since the race at the Nürburgring in 2012.
The remaining BMW drivers missed out on the points. Bruno Spengler (CA) crossed the finish line eighth in the BMW Bank M4 DTM, but was handed a penalty for a collision shortly before the end of the race and has thus been classified in 17th place. Joey Hand (US) made a good start in the Crowne Plaza Hotels BMW M4 DTM, but was unable to hang on to a top-ten position. The American had to settle for 11th. BMW Team MTEK drivers Timo Glock (DE, DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM) and António Félix da Costa (PT, Red Bull BMW M4 DTM) came home 13th and 14th. Glock was unfortunate when his car remained stationary at the start of the installation lap and had to start the race from the very back of the grid.
The race was over after just 18 laps for last year's winner Augusto Farfus (BR). His Castrol EDGE BMW M4 DTM was hit from behind by a rival and spun off into the barriers. Farfus was unhurt, but had to leave his car in the gravel bed.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):
"That was an extremely eventful race. The many safety car periods made it difficult to keep track of what was going on at times. We were constantly having to change our strategy, and the last few laps came down to a sprint. We are obviously happy to have two drivers on the podium. Marco Wittmann and Martin Tomczyk produced great performances and kept cool heads at all times. I am particularly pleased for Martin. He earned his reward for all his hard work today. At the same time, he confirmed the continuous improvement in his performances in recent races, and ended his long wait for a podium. Maxime Martin also had a great race and has already earned the title of 'Rookie of the Year'. We are also delighted for BMW Team RMG, who won the Team competition today with one race to go. Congratulations to Mattias Ekström and Audi on their win."
Charly Lamm (Team Principal, BMW Team Schnitzer):
"This podium feels really good, especially after the recent races. It was an absolute joy to see Martin Tomczyk on the podium, and I am overjoyed for him and the entire team. Everyone worked very hard for that. It is also important, with regard to the Manufacturers' Championship, that we were able to support BMW with Martin's points. Furthermore, our crew also performed the fastest pit stop of the entire race on his car. Our guys can be proud of that. Luck was not on Bruno Spengler's side. He was on a very promising strategy, given the many safety car period. He was on course to finish in the points, but then came the incident with Jamie Green and the ensuing penalty. Congratulations to Stefan Reinhold and his team, who have now crowned a great season with the Team title."
Martin Tomczyk (car number 10, BMW Team Schnitzer, 3rd):
Tyres: Option-Prime
"It is very satisfying to get back on the podium after such a long time. I have had some tough times. Today, I was finally able to prove that I can still make it onto the podium when everything comes together. Thank you to BMW and BMW Team Schnitzer for the support I have always had here. I am very happy to have turned things around here in Zandvoort, at one of my favourite circuits. It was a spectacular race, particularly for the spectators. The pace was good throughout the entire race. To finish third today is almost a form of redemption."
Bruno Spengler (car number 9, BMW Team Schnitzer, 17th):
Tyres: Prime-Option
"I didn't actually have a bad race – apart from my penalty after the collision with Jamie Green. I don't understand it. We have had similar situations in previous races, for which no penalties were handed out."
Joey Hand (car number 4, BMW Team RBM, 11th):
Tyres: Option-Prime
"It was a difficult day. Even at the start we did not have the right pace on the option tyres, and I found myself stuck in the pack. You are vulnerable when you are constantly having to defend, and that was the case with me today. I was hit relatively hard after the first safety car period, when I was still on the options. That caused damage to my car, and it was very difficult to drive after that. I was then just trying to stick with it, as you can never give up. Despite all the problems, I was still determined to finish – with all the retirements today, I could even have ended up in the points."