Four BMW drivers in the points at a scorching-hot Norisring – Eventful race with two safety car periods.
14.07.2013
Nürnberg (DE), 14th July 2013. The four BMW teams experienced an eventful fifth DTM race at the Norisring (DE) in temperatures soaring to over 30 degrees Celsius. Bruno Spengler (CA), who started the race from second on the grid in the BMW Bank M3 DTM, was the best-placed BMW driver, coming home in sixth. Joey Hand (US, BMW M3 DTM), Andy Priaulx (GB, Crowne Plaza Hotels BMW M3 DTM) and Marco Wittmann (DE, Ice-Watch BMW M3 DTM) finished eighth, ninth and tenth. Over the course of the weekend, 126,000 spectators followed the action live at the Norisring.
Spengler and BMW Team Schnitzer continued an impressive run: the reigning DTM champion has now scored points in each of the past 11 DTM races. BMW Team RMG and Priaulx picked up their first two points of the season. Victory at the Dutzendteich went to Audi driver Mattias Ekström (SE), followed by Mercedes drivers Robert Wickens (CA) and Christian Vietoris (DE).
Dirk Werner (DE, SAMSUNG BMW M3 DTM) narrowly missed out on a points finish, crossing the line in 11th. Timo Glock (DE, DEUTSCHE POST BMW M3 DTM) and Augusto Farfus (BR, Castrol EDGE BMW M3 DTM) came home in 13th and 16th.
Martin Tomczyk (DE) in the BMW M Performance Parts M3 DTM was once again struck by misfortune at the end of the first half of the season. He retired after 16 laps following a duel with Jamie Green (GB). Up until his retirement, Tomczyk had fought back from 17th on the grid to ninth in the field. The crash caused the second of two safety car periods. A number of rival cars altered their strategy, took a greater risk, and were consequently able to pass the BMW drivers over the course of the race. Therefore, a podium was not to be this time.
Spengler is now second in the Drivers’ Championship on 67 points, just two behind the leader Mike Rockenfeller (DE). In the Manufacturers’ Championship, BMW held onto its lead on 192 points, ahead of Mercedes (177) and Audi (136).
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):
“We managed to land four cars in the top ten, but cannot be happy with what was a tough race for us. The two safety car phases had a significant influence and opened up certain strategic options. Our approach was not to take too many risks in terms of the race strategy. However, this did not pay off in today’s conditions. Bruno, in sixth, still managed to score more valuable points, and another three BMW M3 DTMs finished in the top ten. The overall standings still do not look bad. Congratulations to Audi and Mattias Ekstrom on their deserved victory.”
