BMW Motorsport has once again made DTM history. Marco Wittmann (GER) of BMW Team RMG took victory in the opening race of the 2019 season at the Hockenheimring (GER) on Saturday, and with it the first race of the new turbo era in the DTM.
BMW Motorsport has once again made DTM history. Marco Wittmann (GER) of BMW Team RMG took victory in the opening race of the 2019 season at the Hockenheimring (GER) on Saturday, and with it the first race of the new turbo era in the DTM. The two-time champion, at the wheel of the Schaeffler BMW M4 DTM, produced a flawless display in wet conditions, converting pole position into a prestigious race win. This was the 12th victory of Wittmann’s career and also marked the 82nd time that a BMW has been first across the DTM finish line. It also represented the perfect start to the 50th anniversary of BMW Turbo Power in motorsport.
Timo Glock (GER) finished fourth in the JiVS BMW M4 DTM, narrowly missing out on another podium for BMW. He was spun by another car on the opening lap, but fought back strongly to climb through the field one place at a time. BMW newcomer Sheldon van der Linde (RSA) came home sixth in the Shell BMW M4 DTM to score points on his debut. He was followed over the line in seventh place by the BMW Bank M4 DTM of Bruno Spengler (CAN).
Joel Eriksson (SWE) was 13th in the CATL BMW M4 DTM. A sensor issue in the engine periphery prevented Philipp Eng (AUT) from setting a lap time in qualifying, meaning he had to start the race from 17th. The Austrian eventually came home 14th.