The BMW DTM teams are preparing for the grand finale. This weekend (6th to 8th November), the ninth and final round of the 2020 DTM season will take place at Hockenheim (GER).
This marks the end of the Class 1 era and sees the BMW M4 DTM contest its final races according to these regulations at the iconic German circuit.
Former BMW Group Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt will also attend the event. Since 1st November, he has headed the BMW Group’s Pilot Plant for the prototype construction of production models.
Marquardt has been BMW Group Motorsport Director for nearly ten years and brings the curtain down on this era at the DTM finale at Hockenheim.
Quotes ahead of the season finale at Hockenheim.
Jens Marquardt:
“Hockenheim is the end of a chapter for all of us. We will compete in the final races of the DTM as we know it. We regret the fact that the Class 1 regulations, on which we worked so hard, have no future. However, the course has been set for a future GT and customer racing platform, and we wish Gerhard Berger and his staff every success with the realignment. Hockenheim also marks the end of what has been a difficult season in general. It has been dominated by the coronavirus pandemic and the season has not panned out as we hoped in terms of results. With this in mind, we will once again do our very best to ensure we end on a high at the finale and give our BMW M4 DTM a worthy send-off. It is obviously a great shame that the current situation means the DTM finale, and with it the end of this era, cannot take place in front of the many fans who would usually pack the grandstands. However, the health and safety of all take top priority in these times. Despite that, we hope that the many DTM fans will be cheering us on in front of their screens. We would like to thank Gerhard Berger and the ITR for having made it possible to stage nine race events despite the difficult conditions this year, thanks to a strict hygiene concept. For me personally, Hockenheim marks the end of a chapter. After almost ten years as BMW Group Motorsport Director, I have taken on a new role within the BMW Group – one that I will very much enjoy. However, my heart will obviously continue to beat for motorsport, and it is important to me to end the season and our works involvement in the DTM together with my colleagues at BMW Motorsport, our drivers, and the BMW DTM teams at Hockenheim.”
Stefan Reinhold (BMW Team RMG Team Principal):
“The compact and unusual 2020 DTM season draws to a close for us at Hockenheim. We won with Lucas Auer at the Lausitzring and also picked up a further five podiums with him, Marco Wittmann and Timo Glock. Despite that, it is clear that the season has not panned out as we hoped from a sporting perspective. We want to change that at Hockenheim and add some more top results to our record this season. It will not be an easy job, particularly as we don’t know what kind of weather awaits us there in November. However, we are ready and the whole team is working hard to end the season – and our involvement in the DTM in its current form – with a strong performance. We can look back on some successful years. We won the Drivers’ Championship twice with Marco Wittmann and also picked up the Team title. I would like to thank BMW, all our drivers and my team for this successful time.”
Bart Mampaey (BMW Team RBM Team Principal):
“This season has been one of highs and lows for us. One of the highlights was definitely Sheldon van der Linde’s first DTM victory at Assen and his first DTM podium at the Lausitzring. However, we have also had a number of difficult weekends. We have to leave that behind us and our goal is to end the season with more success. We will once again do all we can at the grand finale to be as well prepared as possible for all the conditions we may face at Hockenheim. The finale marks the end of the DTM in its present form, and that also means the final races for us in this series, in which we have been racing since BMW’s comeback in 2012. It was an exciting time, during which we celebrated successes that we will remember for a long time. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this with their hard work over the nine years: to BMW, the drivers who have raced for us, and obviously to everyone at BMW Team RBM.”
Marco Wittmann (#11 Schaeffler BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMG, Drivers’ standings: 7th, 95 points):
“There is great anticipation ahead of Hockenheim. It is the final weekend of an unusual season. We have had a lot of races without fans, and there were restrictions here and there as a result of COVID-19. We have never before had a season like this. The thing I missed most was obviously the fans. I hope we can get through the pandemic quickly and have fans back at the racetrack again soon. Personally, I would like to end the season, which has been tough for us as a brand and the BMW family, with a good and successful finale. We were off the pace, but we did enjoy some isolated podium successes. We must now push hard again at the final round at Hockenheim and try to pick up a podium or two. That would be a nice way to end the season.”
Timo Glock (#16 iQOO BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMG, Driver’s standings: 5th, 116 points):
“On one hand, I am obviously very much looking forward to Hockenheim, as it is one of my favourite circuits. On the other hand, however, there is also a degree of melancholy, as we know that these are the final DTM races. Yes, the DTM will have a future on a new platform, but it is still a strange feeling. Furthermore, it is a real shame that I will contest the last races with a car like the BMW M4 DTM. It is one of the most impressive touring cars you can drive, and I have had an awful lot of fun with it. As such, it will be an emotional weekend. However, I obviously hope that we can do well at Hockenheim and end the season on a high. At this point, I would like to thank BMW and my team, who have really done a very, very good job. All the years I have spent with BMW Team RMG have been intensive and great. We had so many good races and so much fun with the guys. I would also like to thank everyone at ITR and within the DTM environment, whose hard work has made this platform what it is and allowed us to partake in this great sport. In the end, we are the ones who get to sit in the car and implement what is made possible for us.”
Lucas Auer (#22 BMW Bank M4 DTM, BMW Team RMR, Drivers’ standings: 11th, 51 points):
“These will be the last races with these legendary cars. The current DTM cars are the pinnacle of touring car racing and I will enjoy this weekend, as these cars are simply awesome to drive. Hockenheim is always a cool circuit and I hope that we are competitive from the outset, put on a good show, and bring the season to a happy ending.”
Philipp Eng (#25 ZF BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RBM, Drivers’ standings: 12th, 45 points):
“I am looking forward to the season finale. Hockenheim is always cool and a very interesting, very varied circuit. Last year, I secured pole position there and I am obviously hoping that I can repeat that this year and end a difficult season on a high. That is what I am hoping for.”
Jonathan Aberdein (#27 CATL BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMR, Drivers’ standings: 13th, 45 points):
“So the last round at Hockenheim has arrived; the last races of a very compact year. Obviously, it’s also the last round for DTM with the Class 1 regulations. So for me personally, it’s just going to be all about enjoying the last weekend driving this awesome car. These are really, really special cars, very high performance, and I think definitely one of the fastest cars around. There are not so many cars, especially with a roof, that can go that quickly as these. I think everyone wants to end the year – and the class 1 era – on a high, so I’m definitely looking forward to having a successful weekend.”
Sheldon van der Linde (#31 Shell BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RBM, Drivers’ standings: 6th, 105 points):
“For me personally, it has been a pretty good season up until now, with my highlight being at Assen. My first DTM win was by far the best day of my life so far, I would say. I also had a podium at the second round of the season at Lausitzring. So from a personal point of view I’m very happy with my performance this year. I think we showed some very strong performances, we have been consistently in the top five, top six. My goal for the final round is clearly to secure P4 in the championship and if we have a good weekend at Hockenheim, I am sure we can achieve that.”
Source: BMW Europe
