Zandvoort (NL), 28th September 2014. 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.”
EARLIER POST:
Fasten your seatbelts for the penultimate round of the 2014 DTM season!
Broadcast: http://www.cbssportsnetwork.com/schedule/cbssn
and, as always, Youtube live streams ((outside the USA))...
Preview:
As the last weekend of September approaches, all eyes are set for the most spectacular finale of the month at Circuit Park Zandvoort. The sensational DTM hits the track at full speed and will bring some real touringcar thunder to Zandvoort.
Three-way battle in the Dunes
Since 2012, race fans met the 'new' DTM. The 2012-race at Zandvoort was more attractive, more exiting and more spectacular than ever before.
In 2013 the race was again full of action. In 2014 the DTM will return to Zandvoort once again. When BMW returned to the series in 2012 they directly won the title so Audi and Mercedes-Benz are looking for revenge. Especially after BMW also winning the race in Zandvoort in 2013.
The brave drivers aren't afraid to risk a bit of body contact as they jostle for position and the racing has never been this thrilling before. Over twenty brutal race cars will battle for victory in the Dutch dunes in Zandvoort.
SCHEDULE
Friday, 26 September 2014
15:30 - 16:00 hrs. DTM international press conference
Saturday, 27 September 2014
08:45 - 09:45 hrs. DTM free practice 1
10:00 - 10:20 hrs. Historic Monoposto Racing free practice
10:30 - 10:45 hrs. Event programme Stunt-Driver
11:05 - 12:05 hrs. DTM free practice 2
12:05 - 12:10 hrs. DTM practice starts
12:25 - 12:50 hrs. Vintage Revival Zandvoort Group A demo 1
13:00 - 13:25 hrs. Vintage Revival Zandvoort Group B demo 2
13:45 - 14:25 hrs. Event Programme pit walk/taxi rides
14:25 - 14:35 hrs. Event programme Stunt-Driver
14:45 - 15:35 hrs. DTM Qualifying
15:45 - 16:10 hrs. DTM international press conference
16:00 - 16:20 hrs. Historic Monoposto Racing Qualifying 1
16:30 - 16:55 hrs. Vintage Revival Zandvoort Group A demo 3
17:05 - 17:30 hrs. Vintage Revival Zandvoort Group B demo 4
17:45 - 18:05 hrs. Historic Monoposto Racing Qualifying 2
Sunday, 28 September 2014
09:00 - 09:20 hrs. Historic Monoposto Racing Race 1
09:35 - 10:05 hrs. DTM/Event-Programm Pitwalk/Pitstop Training
10:15 - 10:40 hrs. Vintage Revival Zandvoort Group A Demo 5
10:50 - 11:15 hrs. Vintage Revival Zandvoort Group B Demo 6
11:25 - 11:40 hrs. Event programme Stunt-Driver
11:45 - 11:55 hrs. Manufacturers Korsos
11:55 - 12:35 hrs. Event Programme pit walk/taxi rides
12:45 - 12:55 hrs. DTM information laps
13:00 - 13:15 hrs. DTM start grid presentation
13:30 hrs. DTM green light, start formation lap
13:33 hrs. DTM start race
14:43 hrs. DTM finish
approx. 14:55 hrs. DTM podium ceremony
15:00 - 15:10 hrs. Event programme Stunt-Driver
15:15 - 15:40 hrs. DTM international press conference
15:25 - 15:45 hrs. Historic Monoposto Racing race 2
16:00 - 16:25 hrs. Vintage Revival Zandvoort Group A Demo 8
16:35 - 17:00 hrs. Vintage Revival Zandvoort DHC Demo 7
17:10 - 17:35 hrs. Vintage Revival Zandvoort Group B Demo 9
Season Points so far (Top 10)
1. M. Wittmann 128
2. C. Vietoris 59
3. M. Ekström 56
4. E. Mortara 56
5. M. Rockenfeller 54
6. B. Spengler 42
7. P. Wehrlein 40
8. M. Martin 39
9. A. Farfus 39
10. R. Wickens 37
