This was Eng’s third podium result of the year, and the 290thin the history of the touring car series for BMW. In total, four BMW drivers finished in the top ten. Joel Eriksson (SWE) was sixth in the CATL BMW M4 DTM, while Bruno Spengler (CAN) ended the race eighth in the BMW Bank M4 DTM. Sheldon van der Linde (RSA, Shell BMW M4 DTM) followed him home in ninth.
Wittmann and Timo Glock (GER) both reached a very special milestone at Misano on Sunday. Both drivers were starting the 100thDTM race of their careers. The two BMW drivers both made their debut in the touring car series at the opening round of the 2013 season at Hockenheim and have since driven both the BMW M3 DTM and the BMW M4 DTM. Wittmann has 13 wins, 12 pole positions and two DTM titles to his name. Glock has secured five pole positions and climbed onto the top step of the podium on five times to date. However, the 100thrace came to a premature end for both Wittmann and Glock. Wittmann crashed out following a collision on lap one, for which he was in no way to blame. Technical issues forced Glock to retire in the JiVS BMW M4 DTM.
Reactions to the sixth DTM race of the 2019 season at Misano.
Rudolf Dittrich (General Manager BMW Motorsport Vehicle Development):
“All in all, it has been a weekend of highs and lows. The highlight was obviously Marco Wittmann’s victory on Saturday, when he launched a stunning fightback from last on the grid to take a sensational victory. And Philipp Eng’s impressive performance on Sunday, with some nice overtaking manoeuvres and great tyre management, was also a great advertisement for the DTM. However, we also struggled with some issues at Misano. Our performance in both qualifying sessions was not ideal. Furthermore, Wittmann and Timo Glock were both forced out of their 100thDTM race far too early on Sunday. Marco was unnecessarily wiped out in the early stages of the race. Timo had to return to the garage with technical issues early on. We would have liked a different outcome for both of them in their milestone race. In total, however, we had five cars in the top ten on Saturday and four on Sunday. That is a respectable result. Congratulations to Nico Müller and Audi on their win.”
Bart Mampaey (BMW Team RBM Team Principal):
“It was an exciting race – the first in dry conditions without a safety car. Given our grid positions, we did not necessarily expect to make so much progress in the race. As such, I am very happy with the result, the podium for Philipp Eng, and the good points haul for the championship. Joel Eriksson also climbed through the field to finish sixth. Sheldon van der Linde did a super-long stint and also made it into the points. Well done, guys!”
Philipp Eng (#25 ZF BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMR, Grid: 9th, Race: 2nd, Drivers’ standings: 2nd, 83 points):
“I am incredibly proud of everyone. There is no guarantee that you can finish runner-up from ninth place on the grid. As such, I am really happy with the result. We did everything right. In hindsight, I could possibly have pushed a little earlier, as my tyres were in good condition. Then I could have attacked Nico Müller. However, he was probably too far in front. We must look to see whether my DRS was working properly all the time. Otherwise, we could possibly have done even better. On the whole, however, I am extremely happy.”
Joel Eriksson (#47 CATL BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RBM, Grid: 8th, Race: 6th, Drivers’ standings: 9th, 28 points):
“It was quite a good race. I struggled a little at the start. That is why we changed the tyres. After the pit stop, I still had a few problems with the tyres, but managed to cope with that. I then pulled off a good manoeuvre on the final lap to pass Jonathan Aberdein. Generally speaking, they are good points for BMW and I am now looking forward to the next race weekend.”
Sheldon van der Linde (#31 Shell BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RBM, Grid: 11th, Race: 9th, Drivers’ standings:11th, 25 points):
“I am happier than I was yesterday, even though the result may not necessarily reflect that. The pace was really good today. We stopped early, then I battled through to the finish and tried to keep everyone else behind me. I am satisfied with ninth place yesterday and then again today.”
Stefan Reinhold (BMW Team RMG Team Principal):
“Today, our luck was the polar opposite to yesterday. Timo Glock had a technical issue with his car. You could see for yourself what happened to Marco Wittmann. I think he would definitely have finished on the podium. You obviously can’t do anything about an unnecessary crash like that. We did manage to get Bruno Spengler to climb a few places in the race, and are obviously happy about that. The team once again did a super job this weekend.”
Marco Wittmann (#11 Schaeffler BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMG, Grid: 6th, Race: DNF, Drivers’ standings: 4th 68 points):
“It is really annoying to crash out in that manner. I cannot say too much on the subject and am obviously totally frustrated. It is disappointing to end my 100thDTM race that way, particularly after the great start and good opening lap.”
Bruno Spengler (#7 BMW Bank M4 DTM, BMW Team RMG, Grid: 13th, Race: 8th, Drivers’ standings: 7th, 40 points):
“To climb from 13thto eighth – without any particular incidents, like the appearance of a safety car – was really good. It would have been really difficult to get any more out of the race. I was held up by Mike Rockenfeller a little for a while. That cost me a little time. Maybe seventh or sixth place might just have been possible. But that’s life. We had a few difficulties in qualifying this morning. We need to analyse that and improve for next time. If we can manage to start from further up the field, it will probably be a different story.”
Timo Glock (#16 BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMR, Grid: 10th, Race: DNF, Drivers’ standings: 12th, 21 points):
“We had problems from the very start. Then the engine suddenly lost power and we tried to repair it. We did manage, but that landed me well behind everyone else. I just wanted to see if it was working. However, the car then started to shift back into first gear when I was in second. Once that started happening, my race was over. Only a cold beer on the beach can help me now.”
Source: BMW Europe
