Read what BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt, the Team Principals and the drivers had to say about the 24 Hours at the Nürburgring.

Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):

“This Nürburgring 24 Hours was once again packed with excitement – and featured an absolutely sensational final stint from Maxime Martin, who was able to overtake two rivals out on the track in the last few laps. Our race was initially blighted by the unlucky collision involving the two BMW Team Schubert cars, and then came the weather-inflicted stoppage during the night – and finally the joy at second place for BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS. Over the past 24 hours, the legendary Nordschleife has once again shown us exactly what makes this circuit so special and so infamous. I am delighted for Bas Leinders’ team and the four drivers in the number 25 BMW Z4 GT3. Back in 2012, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS narrowly missed out on a top-three finish in the Green Hell, and now it has its podium. The crew produced a flawless race, as did the drivers, so they really deserve second place. The way the number 20 BMW Team Schubert car fought back was also impressive. The team did not allow the huge misfortune at the start of the race to get them down, and battled back superbly to finish sixth. However, I would obviously like to thank all the many privateer BMW teams and the fans at the Ring, who defied the miserable conditions to once again produce a fantastic race and a unique atmosphere. Congratulations to Mercedes on its overall victory in the Green Hell.”

Bas Leinders (Team Principal, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS):

“Of course we are all very proud of the whole team. Every member of this team has worked so, so hard to achieve a podium here. We came here for the win, but the win is an exclusive thing, it’s very difficult to get there.  Saying that, if you get a podium it means you’ve done a very good job. Everyone did an amazing job; drivers, engineers, mechanics, everyone. I think it’s really good to see number 25 on the podium. With number 26 we had this incident with another car spinning on the track, but that’s the Nordschleife. That’s what makes it so special here, there are things you can’t control. I have to thank BMW Motorsport and above all Marc van der Straten, because without his passion we wouldn’t be here.”

Maxime Martin (BMW Z4 GT3, car number 25, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS):

“It was really a very close race in the end. I knew I had to go flat out to catch the two Mercedes. That worked out superbly. We really wanted this podium. After finishing fourth on our first appearance here in 2012, it is simply fantastic to go even better now.”

Yelmer Buurman (BMW Z4 GT3, car number 25, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS):

“The Nürburgring 24 Hours is an incredible race, which I really wanted to drive in. To have done that together with BMW and to be stood on the podium is awesome. Everyone in our team did a fantastic job.

Andrea Piccini (BMW Z4 GT3, car number 25, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS):

“That is a superb result. It was definitely the right decision not to race during the night. The conditions were simply too dangerous. When the race resumed, the key for us was not to make any mistakes. Maxime Martin then produced another perfect stint to take us into second place.”

Richard Göransson (BMW Z4 GT3, car number 25, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS):

“The team had a great strategy – and it was clear to us that we had a chance of finishing runner-up. Maxime Martin then reeled in and overtook the two Mercedes at the end. That was fantastic. Thank you to the entire team. Everyone did an amazing job.”

Stefan Wendl (Team Manager, BMW Team Schubert):

“We had high hopes for this race, so are quite disappointed. We were determined to finish on the podium, but the incident in the opening hour of the race dashed any hopes of us achieving this goal. Compliments to my team, who never gave up and recovered the lap we lost. Our drivers in car no. 20 never gave up and kept pushing. That’s why we also take a lot of positives with us from this race. And we will give our all again next time, that’s for sure.”

Claudia Hürtgen (BMW Z4 GT3, car number 20, BMW Team Schubert):

“Congratulations to BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS on second place. They did a good job, but I think they, like us, could have done even better in the right circumstances. You are never immune from problems on the Nordschleife, and you need that little bit of luck. Unfortunately luck was not on our side. We will have to go again next year.”

Dirk Adorf (BMW Z4 GT3, car number 20, BMW Team Schubert):

“The team did everything right, and deserves huge praise. However, we were ultimately missing that necessary good fortune once again. We will be back to try again next year. It has to work out for us at some point.”

Jens Klingmann (BMW Z4 GT3, car number 20, BMW Team Schubert):

“Congratulations to BMW Motorsport on the podium finish. BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS really earned its podium and showed there was more in this race for us with the BMW Z4 GT3. The result is obviously not satisfactory, but, despite that, I am happy we still managed to cross the finish line in a decent position.”

Martin Tomczyk (BMW Z4 GT3, car number 20, BMW Team Schubert):

“After the misfortune at the start of the race, which I did not see live because I was still in the plane on the way back from Brands Hatch, we did well to pull ourselves together. Our pace was good, but we obviously wanted to be up there challenging for the overall victory. We will try again next year. I certainly learned something about myself: even though it was a tough weekend, it is possible to drive in the DTM and straight afterwards at a 24-hour race.“

The BMW Z4 GT3 has claimed its first podium finish at the Nürburgring 24 Hours: Maxime Martin brought the number 25 BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS car home in second.

As well as Martin, Yelmer Buurman, Andrea Piccini and Richard Göransson were also in action over the course of the eventful race.

After 88 laps of the 25.378-kilometre circuit, the runner-up car was 2:39.781 minutes behind winning Mercedes drivers Bernd Schneider, Jeroen Bleekemolen, Sean Edwards and Nicki Thiim. Because of this, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS narrowly missed out on securing a 20^th overall victory for BMW at the endurance classic. With 19 triumphs to its name since 1970, BMW remains by far the most successful manufacturer in the Eifel. After fourth place last year, this result underlines just how at home BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS is on what is possibly the toughest circuit in the world.

As well as Team Principal Bas Leinders’ crew, BMW Team Schubert also finished with one car in the top ten. Claudia Hürtgen, Dirk Adorf, Jens Klingmann and DTM driver Martin Tomczyk refused to be discouraged by several minor set-backs and an unfortunate incident involving the team’s second car. The number 20 BMW Z4 GT3 ended the race in sixth. A “Code 60” as early as the sixth lap caused a long tailback, which ended right behind a section with very poor visibility. Uwe Alzen, in the cockpit of the number 19 car, was unable to avoid the final car in the tailback, which just so happened to be the team’s second BMW Z4 GT3 with Hürtgen at the wheel. Fortunately, however, he did avoid a full-on impact. This collision ultimately resulted in Alzen and his fellow drivers Dirk Müller and Augusto Farfus, who like Tomczyk had travelled straight from the DTM race at Brands Hatch to be at the Nürburgring, retiring from the race.

An accident also prevented the second BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS car, driven by Leinders, Henri Moser and Markus Palttala, from finishing what was, based on the actual driving time, the shortest ever 24-hour race at the Nürburgring. The fifth BMW Z4 GT3 in the field, driven by Henry Walkenhorst, Ralf Oeverhaus, Maximilian Partl and Wolf Silvester, came home 17^th. Motorsport fans in the “Green Hell” saw an eventful race, in which the weather played a crucial role. The race started in dry conditions at 17:00hrs on Sunday. Then, just as forecast, came the rain. This, together with thick fog on parts of the circuit, produced extremely difficult conditions. As a result, the race organisers suspended the 41^st staging of the 24-hour race shortly after 23:00hrs. The enforced break that followed lasted over nine hours. Only at 08:20hrs did the race resume.

As well as the works-assisted teams, many privately-run BMW cars also thrilled the fans lining the iconic circuit again this year. BMW teams came home first in the D1T+D3T, SP10 GT4, SP 4+SP 5, SP 6, V4, V5 and V6 classes. This brings the total number of class victories achieved by BMW at the 24-hour race to 162.

With 17 hours of the Nürburgring 24 Hours behind them, the number 25 BMW Z4 GT3 – with Maxime Martin, Yelmer Buurman, Andrea Piccini and Richard Göransson at the wheel – is currently second.

The race had previously been suspended for more than nine hours due to heavy rain and poor visibility caused by thick fog. The red flag was waved for the first time at about 23:00 the previous night, and the field at the 41^st staging of the classic 24-hour race was left waiting until just after 08:00 this morning before it could finally continue.

Martin was first into the fray for BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS, starting from fifth and soon cutting through the field to lead in the rain. On lap 44 he pulled into the pits with a lead of about 20 seconds to hand over to Buurman. Bas Leinders in the number 26 car was also coping excellently with the difficult conditions, and had climbed as high as third. However, he was hit by another car and went into the crash barriers in the Bergwerk section on lap 41. His BMW Z4 GT3 was so seriously damaged that he was unable to continue. Up until that point, Leinders had shared driving duties with Henri Moser, Markus Palttala and Göransson.

After the misfortune it suffered in the early stages of the race, BMW Team Schubert is back among the front-runners. Dirk Adorf was in the driving seat of the black BMW Z4 GT3 for the restart, and immediately set about making up ground. With aquaplaning an issue on the extremely slippery Nordschleife, Adorf had a spin. However, the experienced German was able to continue. Jens Klingmann is currently running sixth in the number 20 car. As well as Adorf and Klingmann, Claudia Hürtgen and Martin Tomczyk will also be in action over the next few hours. With under a third of the race to go, the Walkenhorst Motorsport team’s BMW Z4 GT3 is 20^th.

Maxime Martin (BMW Z4 GT3, car number 25, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS):
“Conditions were ok after the restart. The car is running well and the pace is there. I did not take too many risks in the traffic, as there is still a long way to go. It was important to be leading by the time I reached the Nordschleife, as you have the best visibility when you are the front car. I soon opened up a gap, which I was then able to maintain consistently.”

Dirk Adorf (BMW Z4 GT3, car number 20, BMW Team Schubert):
“Our car is flawless in the rain. However, visibility is really bad if you are starting outside the top ten – as I did. Despite this, and although it is far from easy in these conditions, I was able to make up some places. Towards the end of my stint, the car aquaplaned on the straight coming into Flugplatz and I had a spin. Nothing is damaged, however, so Jens Klingmann will hopefully be able to continue our push towards the front of the field.”

The first few hours of the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring have been a turbulent affair.

BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS has made a good start to the endurance classic. As night fell over the Nordschleife, the team had established itself in the leading group with both BMW Z4 GT3s.

The number 26 car, with drivers Bas Leinders, Markus Palttala, Henri Moser and Richard Göransson currently lies fourth. The team’s second car – number 25, with Maxime Martin, Yelmer Buurman, Andrea Piccini and Göransson at the wheel – is eighth. Extreme weather conditions, with rain and fog in many sections of the circuit, led race control to temporarily suspend the 41^st edition of the Eifel marathon at about 23:00hrs.

Martin and Leinders started behind the wheel of the two BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS cars and stayed in touch with the leaders. When the rain came down, the BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS drivers showed their strength in wet conditions, clocking fast lap times and moving through the field, until the red flag was waved.

BMW Team Schubert had a moment of shock within the first hour of the race. A yellow phase was introduced at the Schwedenkreuz section of the circuit on lap six, during which the cars had to brake down to just 60 km/h. This resulted in a tailback, which ended directly behind a blind passage. Uwe Alzen, in the number 19 BMW Z4 GT3, approached the end of the queue and saw the second BMW Team Schubert car (number 20) – the last in the chain of slow cars – too late to avoid a collision. Alzen reacted quickly enough to avoid a full-on collision, but still hit the rear-left wheel of the black BMW Z4 GT3 with the front-right wheel of his car, before then crashing into the barriers.

As a result, Claudia Hürtgen lost a lap in the number 20 car. Alzen’s car spent 45 minutes in the garage with a damaged steering gear, bringing an end to its challenge at this year’s Nürburgring 24 Hours. Despite this, the team still attempted to repair the damage and continue, but BMW Team Schubert’s white BMW Z4 GT3 ultimately had to retire after about four hours. That brought the race to a premature end for Dirk Müller, Augusto Farfus, who had travelled to the Nürburgring straight from the afternoon’s DTM race at Brands Hatch, and Alzen. The number 20 car, on the other hand, remains in the race. Hürtgen, Dirk Adorf, Jens Klingmann and Martin Tomczyk, who was also in action in the DTM, are currently 16^th.

The fifth BMW Z4 GT3 in the field – with drivers Henry Walkenhorst, Ralf Oeverhaus, Maximilian Partl and Wolf Silvester – lies 19^th.

Richard Göransson (BMW Z4 GT3, car number 26, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS): “The car was very good in these conditions, but the rain was getting stronger with every lap, and it was really just a matter of keeping our BMW Z4 GT3 on the track. The lap times were good, but they were not the priority in the minutes before the race was suspended.”

Stefan Wendl (Team Manager BMW Team Schubert): “The number 19 car was seriously damaged in an incident during the race. After lengthy repairs and multiple function checks, we decided to withdraw the car from the race for safety reasons. Despite the disappointment, we are now even more determined to push on throughout the rest of the race and get the best result possible for BMW, our partners and the fans.”

Uwe Alzen (BMW Team Schubert, car number 19): “There was a long tailback in the Schwedenkreuz section, as a result of a yellow phase. At the end of the tailback was my team-mate Claudia Hürtgen’s BMW Z4 GT3. I just managed to avoid a full-on frontal collision. In taking evasive action, however, I hit Claudia’s rear-left tyre with the front-right tyre on my car. I then made light contact with the crash barriers. During the subsequent stop for repairs, it emerged that the steering gear had to be replace. That was obviously the end of our chances of achieving a top finish. It is just very disappointing, and I feel really sorry for the entire team. On the other hand, I am glad that I was able to avoid an even bigger collision and that nothing worse happened.”

Reactions after the second DTM race at Brands Hatch.

Bruno Spengler (car number 1, BMW Team Schnitzer, 2^nd):
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“That was not an easy race today. That makes me all the happier with my second place and the fact we were able to score important points. My team provided me with a superb car and the pace was very good. It was also important we had a perfect strategy for the race and made the pit stops at the right time. Of course I would have liked to win. However, my second place is a nice birthday present for Charly and Dieter Lamm. I now have my fingers crossed for my fellow BMW drivers Martin Tomczyk and Augusto Farfus at the 24-hour race.”

Marco Wittmann (car number 21, BMW Team MTEK, 4^th):
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“I think I can be quite happy with the result. I had a really good start and jumped from sixth to fourth. I tried to overtake Bruno on the outside in the second corner, but did not want to crash with him so dropped back. I was really happy with my first lap, as I was able to pull out a gap ahead of Timo Scheider. I think my first pit stop was probably a bit late, so we lost some time there, but in general it was a good race. There was a little bit of traffic as well and that is why I lost a position to Wickens. He went for a gap that wasn't there and that is why I went a bit wide. Prior to the race I had set myself the goal of finishing in the top five. I achieved that.”

Joey Hand (car number 8, BMW Team RBM, 5^th):
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“The race flew by, which is always a good sign. I told my guys over the radio that I gave myself a mini high five for finishing every lap of my DTM career. Not a super big high five for my start, as that is where it all went wrong and we were definitely a podium car. You can't blame the race car or the crew. I did my best, as usual, but am still finding my way here. I am pretty happy with how the weekend went. This is not the easiest place from a handling aspect or from a driving aspect, and it surely isn't an easy place to finish a race as there is a lot going on. I am happy to take my fifth place points and run.”

Dirk Werner (car number 2, BMW Team Schnitzer, 12^th):
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“That was a very difficult race. I was right in the middle of all the turmoil, and it was almost impossible to move through the field from there. I lost a few places after the start. After an early stop, however, I at least had clean air ahead of me for a few laps. I then lost time again in traffic. I simply have to do better in qualifying next time, then I can go on the attack again in the race.”

Timo Glock (car number 22, BMW Team MTEK, 13^th):
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“My start was not so great, as I had a problem with the clutch. That cost me two places, which I was able to take back on the first lap. We then had the problem during the first pit stop, when the car dropped off the jack briefly. The final result is not great, but my race was ruined when Roberto Merhi forced me off the track. I think our strategy could have put us in the points. Hopefully things will work out better in the next race.”

Martin Tomczyk (car number 15, BMW Team RMG, 14^th):
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“It was a tough race, and despite everything I finished without any points. It was nice racing at the beginning and the first third of the race was great. I really enjoyed it and then I got pushed out by another driver. From there on I just concentrated on finishing my race.”

Andy Priaulx (car number 16, BMW Team RMG, 19^th):
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“Obviously this is disappointing, in so much as I could have had a reasonable race, but I got hit by Adrien Tambay. He has apologised, but it doesn't really help me. I am unhappy with the blue flags, as I don't feel they were used in the right way – some came out too early and some not at all. But the most important thing is I have to look at the race data and try to work out what I need to do for the next race. I am very hungry for points and felt a few were on offer after our good qualifying.”

Augusto Farfus (car number 7, BMW Team RBM, DNF):
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“The race was pretty good and I was running a strong second. After my second stop I had a gearbox failure and I could not shift up or down, as I was stuck in third. I tried to stop the car on the track hoping to get a gear again, but it was impossible. It is disappointing to be running second and then have to stop with a mechanical failure. I ran ten races last year without any mechanical failures and this was the first one. It is a shame to give away 18 points as I certainly felt this was possible.”

Following the successful season-opener in Hockenheim, the podium at the second DTM race of the year again featured a BMW driver.

BMW Team Schnitzer driver Bruno Spengler crossed the finish line in second place in the BMW Bank M3 DTM at the 1.929-kilometre “Brands Hatch Circuit”, a repeat of last year’s result. At the end of 98 laps, the reigning DTM champion came home 7.641 seconds behind winning Audi driver Mike Rockenfeller. Robert Wickens finished third in his Mercedes to complete the podium.

The second best-placed BMW driver was Marco Wittmann from BMW Team MTEK in only his second DTM race. The 23-year-old was fourth in the Ice-Watch BMW M3 DTM, ahead of BMW Team RBM driver Joey Hand in fifth. This marked the best result of both drivers’ DTM careers. Augusto Farfus was extremely unlucky. Running second, the winner of the opening race of the season in Hockenheim had no choice but to retire after 65 laps due to a technical problem on the Castrol EDGE BMW M3 DTM.

Dirk Werner, Timo Glock and Martin Tomczyk finished 12th, 13th and 14th. Having been stripped of his pole position, Tomczyk had at one point managed to fight his way back into the top ten from last place on the grid. However, he was then forced off the track in a bumper-to-bumper duel, dashing any hopes of finishing in the points. Like both Tomczyk and Glock, Andy Priaulx was also involved in an incident and eventually crossed the line in 19th.

The new leader in the Drivers’ Championship is Rockenfeller with 29 points. Spengler trails Rockenfeller by just one point. Farfus is third, courtesy of the 25 points he received for winning race one. BMW Team Schnitzer has taken over at the top of the team competition followed by BMW Team RBM. In the Manufacturers’ Championship, BMW still leads with 101 points to its name.

Tomczyk and Farfus have another opportunity to secure a good result this weekend. Immediately after the race at Brands Hatch, the two BMW drivers set off for the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, where they will join up with BMW Team Schubert and take to the track in the BMW Z4 GT3 on Sunday evening.

Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director): “Generally speaking, we can be happy with the second race of the season. Three drivers in the top five is a very good result at any race. However, when you start the race with six drivers in the top ten, you have to admit it could have been even better. Runner-up Bruno Spengler and his team did an excellent job. I am also delighted for Marco Wittmann, whose fourth place in only his second DTM race shows what huge potential he possesses. Joey Hand, who finished fifth, also produced an impressive performance all weekend. Augusto Farfus, on the other hand, was unlucky. Like at Hockenheim, he was clearly on course for a podium finish before he had to retire with a technical problem. A number of manoeuvres out on the track were right on the edge, and our drivers were the ones who suffered. Congratulations to Audi and Mike Rockenfeller on their victory.”

The BMW teams are ready for the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring. In Saturday’s Top-40 qualifying, the five BMW Z4 GT3s finished seventh, eighth, 11^th, 15^th and 36^th.

BMW test and development driver Maxime Martin set the fastest time for BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS in the number 25 car. His lap time of 8:21.007 minutes was enough to put him seventh, just 0.029 seconds quicker than Jens Klingmann in BMW Team Schubert’s number 20 BMW Z4 GT3, who starts Sunday’s race from eighth. Richard Göransson was 11^th fastest in the second BMW Z4 GT3 belonging to BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS, while Uwe Alzen was 15^th in the second BMW Team Schubert car. The fifth BMW Z4 GT3 – of the Walkenhorst Motorsport team – will start the race from 36^th. Pole position went to Phoenix Racing in a time of 8:17.212 minutes.

Jörg Müller (DE) was the bearer of bad news before the Top-40 qualifying began. An injury means the BMW works driver is unable to compete in the 24-hour race. His rib injury, which he suffered in a crash during last weekend’s ADAC GT Masters race at Spa-Francorchamps (BE), proved to be too painful, leaving him no option but to pull out of the race. As a replacement, Claudia Hürtgen (DE) has been named as the fourth driver of the number 19 BMW Z4 GT3. Therefore, she will see action in both BMW Team Schubert cars.

Maxime Martin (BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS, car number 25, 7^th):

“The car felt really good and I was able to set a strong pace. I could possibly have gone even faster on my second lap, but unfortunately I came across a slower car. Despite this, we have the basis for a very good race with the BMW Z4 GT3.”

Jens Klingmann (BMW Team Schubert, car number 20, 8^th):

“It is unbelievable to have the opportunity to complete a traffic-free lap on the Nordschleife. You don’t have that experience during the race. My first lap was very good and I really pushed myself. Based on last year’s experience, the second lap should actually have been better. Unfortunately, however, I was held up by a slower car.”

Richard Göransson (BMW Sports Trophy Marc VDS, car number 26, 11^th):

“I did my very best. It is a shame I had to overtake another car on both laps. That cost me a fair bit of time. Despite this, I am happy with my performance. I did not take any unnecessary risks and am looking forward to a promising race.”

Uwe Alzen (BMW Team Schubert, car number 19, 15^th):

“The car was ok, but I was struggling with oversteer. Fifteenth is not what I was aiming for, but 24 hours is a long time. I am now even more motivated to go flat out in the race.”

Jörg Müller was the bearer of bad news at the 24 Hours at the Nürburgring. Injury means the BMW works driver is unable to compete in the race.

His rib injury, which he sustained in a crash during last weekend’s ADAC GT Masters race at Spa-Francorchamps proved to be too painful, leaving him no option but to pull out of the race. As a replacement, Claudia Hürtgen has been named as the fourth driver of the number 19 BMW Z4 GT3. As such, she will see action in both BMW Team Schubert cars.

“The 24-hour race is the absolute highlight of the year for me. I would have absolutely loved to have lined up here, and am very disappointed", Müller said. "Unfortunately I had to face the fact today that the rib injury I sustained last weekend is too restrictive, given the specific demands of the Nordschleife. I gritted my teeth and tried everything – but I ultimately had no choice. I will obviously stay and support the team.”

Martin Tomczyk’s joy at claiming his first DTM pole position for BMW at Brands Hatch lasted just four hours. 

Having initially set the fastest time in the all-important Q4, the 31-year-old BMW Team RMG driver was subsequently excluded from the second qualifying of the year by the race stewards. During a routine inspection of the car on Saturday evening, it was determined it was 2.5 kilograms below the permitted total weight. That means Tomczyk’s car was 0.5 kilograms below the tolerance limit.

Because of this, Tomczyk must now start the race from 22nd on the grid. His seven fellow BMW drivers, meanwhile, each move up a place. Augusto Farfus now lines up in second place, in front of Joey Hand in third. Bruno Spengler starts the second race of the season from fourth. Marco Wittmann, Andy Priaulx, Timo Glock and Dirk Werner start from sixth, seventh, tenth and 14th respectively.

“It is obviously a shame to lose out on pole position as a result of a mistake like this", said Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director). "However, we accept the decision of the race stewards. You are always at the limit in motor racing. We will now analyse what the cause was, to ensure this kind of thing never happens again.”

Stefan Reinhold (BMW Team RMG, Team Principal): “Our team appears to have made a mistake. I would like to apologise to Martin Tomczyk for that. We will now perform a detailed analysis to see how this could possibly have happened.”

“That is a major disappointment for me", said Martin Tomczyk (BMW Team RMG). "The season-opener in Hockenheim showed that it is possible to fight back from 22nd on the grid and finish in the points. However, I also know it is almost impossible to pull off a fightback like that on the short circuit at Brands Hatch.”

Reactions after the qualifying in Brands Hatch.

Martin Tomczyk (car number 15, BMW Team RMG, 1^st):

“I have finally claimed my first pole position for BMW. We knew after practice we would have a good chance in qualifying here. But then everything has to come together on a circuit like Brands Hatch, in order to finish right on top. Every thousandth of a second counts here. BMW Team RMG has done a sensational job and earned this pole position. Our car was very good here right from the first lap. In qualifying, it was just a matter of not making any mistakes. That worked out brilliantly. It feels great to be back at the very front of the grid. We will now go all out for the win in tomorrow’s race.”

Augusto Farfus (car number 7, BMW Team RBM, 3^rd):

“We worked very hard for this third place and changed a lot on the car over the course of the day. This allowed us to gradually push the car closer and closer to the limit. A good starting position is imperative at Brands Hatch if you want to be among the front-runners in the race. We have achieved that goal. BMW Team RBM once again did a great job. It is fantastic to be starting tomorrow’s race alongside my team-mate Joey Hand on the second row. My goal is now to score plenty of points again on Sunday.”

Joey Hand (car number 8, BMW Team RMG, 4^th):

“I am really satisfied with that result as it is my first time in the top four shoot-out. In the first practice session when I was P18 the car was not good to drive. My engineer and the crew got together and just kept pushing. It was small change after small change and the car got better and better.  It is very difficult to get the perfect lap here and I know in Q4 I made two mistakes. Despite this, I am happy. I think it will be a good race for me.”

Bruno Spengler (car number 1, BMW Team Schnitzer, 5^th):

“In qualifying, you always have a really good idea of where you are losing valuable time. I struggled a bit with turn two today. Despite this, we actually still did pretty well. In Q3 I wanted to push a bit harder at that point, but it did not work out. Nevertheless, fifth is definitely a result I can build on. I will push hard tomorrow, as always.”

Marco Wittmann (car number 21, BMW Team MTEK, 7^th):

“Although I am far further up the grid than I was after my first qualifying in Hockenheim a fortnight ago, I am rather disappointed. My pace was really good in practice and the first two qualifying sessions, and I was right up there among the front-runners. Then it was no longer quite right in Q3. Despite this, I am obviously generally pleased with seventh, and really looking forward to Sunday’s race.”

Andy Priaulx (car number 16, BMW Team RMG, 8^th):

“That was a really good step in the right direction for me and I was pretty happy with the car. Unfortunately I had to use two sets of tyres in Q2, as I had a quick lap that was disallowed because I went outside the track limits. I only had one run in Q3, but I was happy with my time. I had a little bit of rear locking in the hairpin which cost me the tenth of a second I needed to go through. I am really determined to put on a good show on Sunday for my fans here at Brands Hatch.”

Timo Glock (car number 22, BMW Team MTEK, 11^th):

“Generally speaking, that was a good qualifying for me. This is my first time at Brands Hatch, and the track is a real challenge. However, I am really enjoying driving here. I was pretty quick in Q1 and was fourth. The pace was there in the second session too. I am now fully focussed on tomorrow’s race. I want to make up a few places, although that will obviously not be easy at this circuit.”

Dirk Werner (car number 2, BMW Team Schnitzer, 15^th):

“I just could not get the times needed to progress in Q2. The gaps are very small on this track, and it is always going to be close if you don’t produce a perfect lap. I am obviously disappointed now – particularly after I was fifth fastest in Q1. Let’s see whether I can put together the same kind of fightback as I did in Hockenheim. I will certainly do my very best.”

Martin Tomczyk on pole for BMW, two BMW Team RBM drivers in the top four and six BMW M3 DTMs on the first four rows of the grid: qualifying for the second DTM race of the year at Brands Hatch was the most successful for BMW since it returned to the series in 2012. 

British motorsport fans were treated to a number of firsts. Tomczyk, at the wheel of the BMW M Performance Parts M3 DTM, clocked the fastest time of 41.158 seconds in the all-important fourth qualifying session. In doing so, the 2011 champion claimed his first pole position in BMW colours and the ninth of his DTM career. It was also the maiden pole for BMW Team RMG and team principal Stefan Reinhold.

Tomczyk was joined in the fourth qualifying session by fellow BMW drivers Augusto Farfus (Castrol EDGE BMW M3 DTM) and Joey Hand (BMW M3 DTM). The two BMW Team RBM drivers qualified third and fourth and will line up next to each other on the second row of the grid on Sunday. Only Audi driver Mike Rockenfeller was able to split the BMW drivers, finishing second. Hand could be well satisfied with the best qualifying result of his DTM career.

Saturday’s qualifying is the first time since BMW’s return to the DTM in 2012 that six BMW M3 DTMs have qualified in the top ten. Bruno Spengler will start the second race of the season from fifth place in the BMW Bank M3 DTM, while rookie Marco Wittmann (Ice-Watch BMW M3 DTM) was just behind the defending champion in seventh. Local favourite Andy Priaulx also secured a good starting position for Sunday’s race, qualifying eighth at the wheel of the Crowne Plaza Hotels BMW M3 DTM. Timo Glock (DE, DEUTSCHE POST BMW M3 DTM) coped well on his maiden appearance at Brands Hatch and will start from 11^th. Dirk Werner (SAMSUNG BMW M3 DTM) will look to mount an assault from 15^th on the grid.

“That was a fantastic qualifying for us", said Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director). "Congratulations to Martin Tomczyk and BMW Team RMG. Last year, Martin and his team were constantly knocking on the door, and now they have finally got their pole position. They really deserved that. BMW Team RBM has once again done a magnificent job and, in Augusto Farfus and Joey Hand, has both its drivers in the top four. And we can obviously be more than happy with six BMW M3 DTMs on the front four rows of the grid. Qualifying was as close as expected, however. Mike Rockenfeller, in particular, really pushed us today. However, we are undoubtedly in a good position for tomorrow.”

Stefan Reinhold (BMW Team RMG, Team Principal): “I am extremely happy. BMW Team RMG has worked very hard for this result over the past weeks and months. We did not always have luck on our side in 2012, and things did not go to plan at the opening race of the season in Hockenheim. However, the team did not let that get it down and showed real fighting spirit. We are obviously now hoping for a successful race tomorrow.”

The BMW drivers took full advantage of the free practice session at the “Brands Hatch Circuit” to prepare for the second DTM race of 2013. The fastest man out on the track was the rookie.

Marco Wittmann is making his first appearance at Brands Hatch in his Ice-Watch BMW M3 DTM this weekend – and the youngster seems to like the 1.929-kilometre circuit. In Saturday morning’s free practice, he was the fastest of all 22 drivers with a time of 41.378 seconds.

The remaining BMW drivers were also fully focussed on preparing for this afternoon’s all-important qualifying and Sunday’s race. Bruno Spengler, Augusto Farfus, Joey Hand and Martin Tomczyk were also among the top ten, setting the fourth, sixth, seventh and eighth fastest times respectively. Dirk Werner was eleventh quickest, Andy Priaulx 13th. Timo Glock, on his first outing at Brands Hatch, ended the session in 19^th.

Just 0.568 seconds separated the fastest driver from the slowest. It promises to be a close affair in Britain.

The opening day of the Nürburgring 24 Hours began with rain and fog, and ended with a successful first qualifying session for the BMW teams.

On a drying track, BMW Team Schubert completed the mandatory programme and ended the four-hour night qualifying session in ninth place with the number 19 BMW Z4 GT3 and 19^th with the number 20 car. Good results in recent VLN races meant both cars had already been set for the Top 40 qualifying on Saturday (17:50), drivers Jörg Müller, Dirk Müller, Uwe Alzen, Claudia Hürtgen, Jens Klingmann and Dirk Adorf simply set out to complete the mandatory number of laps.

BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS also enjoyed a good start to the race weekend. Maxime Martin, Yelmer Buurman and Andrea Piccini were twelfth fastest in their number 25 BMW Z4 GT3. Bas Leinders, Markus Palttala, Henri Moser and Richard Göransson were 15^th in the number 26 car. As such, both crews showed they have the potential to qualify for the Top 40 qualifying when the second session gets underway at 11:20 on Saturday.

The fifth BMW Z4 GT3 in the field, run by the Walkenhorst Motorsport team, also has a good chance of progressing to the Top 40 qualifying. Henry Walkenhorst, Ralf Oeverhaus, Maximilian Partl and Wolf Silvester ended the opening day in 38^th place.

Stefan Wendl (Team Manager BMW Team Schubert):

“That was a good day for us. As we had already been set for the Top 40 qualifying, we were able to concentrate on working on the set-up of our car in the fluctuating track conditions, and on ensuring that our drivers completed their mandatory laps. That all passed without any problems. Today was not about taking any risks, particularly not during the wet practice session in the afternoon.”

Bas Leinders (Team Principal BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS):

“We are happy with the first day, although the conditions were very difficult, particularly during the wet practice. However, all our drivers coped well with the conditions and nobody made any major mistakes. The main aim for tomorrow is to make it through to the Top 40 qualifying. That should be possible with both cars."

The BMW drivers do not usually have time for a sight-seeing tour on a DTM weekend. However, it was a different story ahead of the second race of the season at Brands Hatch.

): the eight drivers climbed on board a typical British double-decker bus and set off on a one-hour trip through the county of Kent and the area around the “Brands Hatch Circuit”. They were accompanied on their journey by journalists and TV crews, who used the unusual location for interviews.

“I have raced countless times at Brands Hatch, but have never experienced a warm-up programme quite like this,” said local favourite Andy Priaulx of BMW Team RMG. “I discovered a lot of towns and villages near the circuit, which I have never been able to visit in all these years. This trip was a fantastic way to get into the mood for the weekend. I have obviously set my sights high for the race at my home track.”

BMW Team RBM driver Augusto Farfus, who won the season-opener in Hockenheim a fortnight ago, also enjoyed the unique bus tour. “That was fantastic, and I think it was a great activity for the journalists,” he said. “Everyone was very relaxed and we had some nice chats. It is fun to check out the scenery around the circuit on a race weekend.”

BMW DTM driver Andy Priaulx paid a visit to the simulator training in the iZone Driver Performance Centre in Silverstone last weekend, and passed on some of his extensive knowledge to this year’s talented youngsters.

The three-time World Touring Car Champion and 2004 European Touring Car Champion was on hand throughout the three-day simulator training to offer assistance regarding strategic and tactical race preparations.

“As well as the practical training the participants in the 2013 Formula BMW Talent Cup receive at the on-track events at various circuits throughout Europe, the simulator training is an important component of the tutorship,” said Priaulx. “Because practice time on the track is becoming more restricted in international motorsport, simulator training is growing in importance. Junior drivers learn the necessary skills here to allow systematic race preparation. The influence this knowledge has on the level of success the drivers enjoy over the course of their careers should not be underestimated.”

In under four weeks, the current class will be given the opportunity to put what they have learned in Silverstone into practice, when the second of the season’s six on-track events takes place in Anderstorp from June 7-9. The training programme for Anderstorp also includes other modules dealing with fitness, performance and media training. In Sweden, the participants will take another step towards the highlight of the 2013 Formula BMW Talent Cup season – the Grand Final, which will be held as part of the DTM weekend in Oschersleben in September. The winner of the three races in Oschersleben will be financed by BMW for the 2014 season in a higher-level racing series.

Reactions ahead of the second race of the 2013 DTM season in Brands Hatch.

Bruno Spengler (car number 1, BMW Team Schnitzer):
“At just 1.929 kilometres, the circuit is really short. For that reason, qualifying is very important at Brands Hatch. Only those right at the front of the grid have any chance of a top result. In the past, there have only been a few overtaking opportunities. Maybe, with the introduction of the new option tyres and DRS it will be a different story this season. After finishing fifth at the opening race in Hockenheim, I am fired up ahead of the second race.”

Dirk Werner (car number 2, BMW Team Schnitzer):
“Second place in Hockenheim has obviously given me a lot of confidence. That was the perfect start to the new DTM season for me. However, as nice as that success was for me, we all start from scratch again at Brands Hatch. Therefore, I go into the race with the same goals and expectations as ever. I will do my very best again in Britain, and try to come away with a good result. That won’t be easy, as qualifying is extremely close on the short circuit. Every thousandth of a second counts. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”

Augusto Farfus (car number 7, BMW Team RBM):
“The Brands Hatch race is going to be a very interesting one for several reasons. First of all, 98 laps round a circuit that is just under two kilometres long is going to be quite a challenge, and what you would call a busy race.  We saw in Hockenheim the effects of the DRS, so here at a circuit where overtaking is traditionally difficult this could make for a very exciting race. Last year traffic management during the race was crucial for a good result and I expect the same will be true this weekend. All in all it will be a busy weekend, as the moment the race is over I shall be heading to the Nürburgring, where I have an appointment for the 24-hour race.”

Joey Hand (car number 8, BMW Team RBM):
“Without doubt I am feeling very confident going into our second race of the year on the back of my best result in the DTM in Hockenheim. It is great to have a year of experience under my belt, especially in terms of knowing the circuits. However, Brands Hatch was one of the circuits I did actually know from the past last year. Add to that the extra knowledge BMW Team RBM has of the track from the WTCC days and I expect to be in good form this weekend.  The circuit is fun, but with 22 DTM cars on such a short track you are on the go all the time. I reckon the fans could see some pretty awesome racing with the DRS playing a big role.”

Martin Tomczyk (car number 15, BMW Team RMG):
“We can expect a similarly exciting race at Brands Hatch to the one we saw in Hockenheim. Under certain circumstances, the option tyres will provide the odd opportunity to overtake – and that would be a revolution at Brands Hatch. Although I will travel on to the Nürburgring 24 Hours after Brands Hatch, the DTM initially takes absolute priority for me. I will be fully focussed on my job with BMW Team RMG. Only once I have crossed the finish line at Brands Hatch will I switch to 24-hour mode.”

Andy Priaulx (car number 16, BMW Team RMG):
“My main objectives this weekend are to realise the strong performance that we showed at times in Hockenheim, finish the race and rack up some points. Being a home race can be an added pressure, but one I feel has to be converted into something positive, which means I want to give my fans and family something to cheer about. I never tire of racing on this track and, without doubt, Paddock Hill Bend is up there with my list of the most demanding corners in motorsport. In many ways, this will be an even busier weekend for me and my engineer as, unlike Hockenheim, we have not tested here with the changes. Therefore, I expect the 90 minutes of free practice to be fairly hectic.”

Marco Wittmann (car number 21, BMW Team MTEK):
“I am optimistic, and have a good feeling ahead of the race in Great Britain. Above all, I hope I will not have the same kind of misfortune in qualifying as I had last time out in Hockenheim. In the race itself, I had the pace to go on the attack. The big question is what effect the DRS will have on the short track at Brands Hatch. With lower top speeds than in Hockenheim, it probably won’t have quite such a big effect. Let’s wait and see."

Timo Glock (car number 22, BMW Team MTEK):
“I am entering uncharted waters at Brands Hatch, as I have never raced on this circuit before. Because of this, it will be important for BMW Team MTEK and me to get as many kilometres as possible under our belt during the free practice, in order to gather the relative reference values. Only a few hours after the practice session, we will be back out there battling for starting positions in qualifying. Although not everything went entirely to plan at the opening race in Hockenheim, I have taken a lot of positives from my first DTM weekend. The DTM is a fantastic racing series, and I am looking forward to my second appearance.”

This Sunday at Spa-Francorchamps, Dominik Baumann and Claudia Hürtgen won the fourth ADAC Masters round of the 2013 season. Jörg Müller had an accident.

With their BMW Z4 GT3, the ‘PIXUM Team Schubert’ pairing won the race on the drying track in superior style and, following this triumph, holds third position in the overall-championship. "Having achieved this win today is fantastic", Hürtgen said. "Dominik handed the car over to me in an excellent position: I was able to study the leading Mercedes to learn about its strengths and weaknesses so I could pass it at the right moment. On the drying track, the BMW Z4 GT3 was incredibly fast."

Meanwhile, the championship lead is held by another BMW Z4 GT3, with two race weekends of the season contested. Simon Knap and Jeroen den Boer, racing for Team DB Motorsport, finished third in both races and rewarded themselves for their consistency by taking the first position on the championship table. By finishing sixth on Sunday, Yelmer Buurman and Martin Matzke secured the best result for Team Vita4One Racing.

Jörg Müller’s BMW Z4 GT3 no 20 was involved in a massive accident with Audi’s René Rast. While, given the circumstances, Müller was lucky to avoid injury, Rast had to be taken to a nearby hospital. "I saw René’s car extremely late and, when I realised it was almost stopping on the track, averting the crash was just impossible” Müller said. “I wish René all the best and hope that he gets well quickly and will be back in the cockpit soon."

Dirk Müller and John Edwards, driving the No. 56 BMW Z4 GTE, scored a third place finish in Saturday’s four-hour American Le Mans Monterey race.

A second consecutive podium finish for the No. 56 machine in only the third race of the new programme and a win for the No. 55 car at Long Beach keeps BMW in second place in the manufacturer point standings in the GT class and moves Müller to the top of the GT class driver points.

Müller started the car from eighth on the grid and by lap 27 had moved up to fourth. Just past the first hour, on lap 45, he moved to third and stayed there until handing over to Edwards on lap 57 during the races third caution period. Edwards remained in third until what could only be considered as the move-of-the-race gave him second with an in-an-out dodge through slower traffic. A mistake on a restart cost him one spot, but he held onto third for his first ALMS podium finish.

Unfortunately, the No. 55 BMW Z4 GTE of Bill Auberlen and Maxime Martin suffered a broken differential shortly after the mid-point of the race and had to retire on lap 85. Auberlen started the car from fifth and ran strongly in third for most of his first stint. A pit stop to replace damaged rear bodywork dropped him back one lap, but he was back on the lead lap before handing over to Martin on lap 83. Only two laps later Martin was back in the pits in a cloud of oil smoke and, ultimately, out of the race.

 Following the traditional eight week break in the season for teams participating in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, round four of the 2013 American Le Mans Series will be held at Lime Rock Park on 6^th July.

Bobby Rahal (Team Principal BMW Team RLL): “Certainly today was a bitter sweet one. I’m sorry to see Bill and Maxime have to retire after fighting back from a lap down. Dirk is on top now and John had a very strong race. It is very hard to combat an obvious speed differential to many of our competitors, but we will keep fighting every day.”

Dirk Müller (BMW Z4 GTE – car number 56): “We certainly were able to carry the momentum from Long Beach to another podium here at Laguna Seca. It is great to take the driver points lead, but it is so close, only single digits separate all of us now. I’m sorry Bill and Maxime could not finish the race.”

John Edwards (BMW Z4 GTE – car number 56): “The move was very intense. I’ve raced with Bryan (Sellers) a great deal in the GRAND-AM Continental Series and when we came up on traffic I got alongside him. When the traffic moved we had a little contact, but Bryan always races clean. I was able to take second from him, but unfortunately, I made a mistake on a restart getting a little greedy and he got the spot back. All-in-all, I am delighted to get my first ALMS podium.”

Following Augusto Farfus’ and Dirk Werner’s one-two at the first round of the 2013 DTM in Hockenheim, the BMW teams travel to the second race of the season with the wind in their sails.

The “Brands Hatch Circuit” in Great Britain will host the popular touring car series on 19^th May. Last year, BMW Team Schnitzer’s Bruno Spengler stepped onto the podium as runner-up. Martin Tomczyk of BMW Team RMG finished fourth to score valuable points, and also clocked the fastest race lap in a time of 42.138 seconds.

The race weekend at Brands Hatch is the first of four trips abroad for the DTM this season. Situated south-east of London, the circuit is the shortest on the race calendar at just 1.929 kilometres. The eight BMW drivers will have completed 98 laps in their BMW M3 DTMs by the time they see the chequered flag. A lap of Brands Hatch is like a rollercoaster ride. The Paddock Hill corner – the circuit’s show-piece – is particularly spectacular. After the start/finish straight, the cars accelerate at high speed into a dip to their right.

The circuit is of particular importance to one BMW driver: Andy Priaulx. The three-time World Touring Car Champion cannot wait for his home race. After a difficult start to the season, with Priaulx’s challenge coming to a premature end in Hockenheim due to a technical problem, the BMW Team RMG driver is looking forward to going back on the attack in front of his home fans. In 2007 and 2010 he was victorious for BMW in the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) on the longer Grand Prix Circuit. Farfus has also won a race there at the wheel of the BMW 320si WTCC. The duo now returns to the scene of their successes with the BMW M3 DTM.

The race weekend is also special for Farfus and Tomczyk, but for a different reason: immediately after the second round of the DTM, the two drivers, along with BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt, will travel to the Nürburgring. Once in the “Green Hell”, they will be in action in the BMW Z4 GT3 at the iconic 24-hour race.

On 19^th/20^th May, the legendary Nürburgring-Nordschleife will host the 24-hour race for the 41^st time. BMW has claimed more victories in the “Green Hell” than any other manufacturer.

The company currently has 19 overall triumphs to its name – of which eight were one-twos. In total, BMW cars have picked up 155 class victories from the 40 races held so far. In 1970, BMW was the first entry in the winners’ list at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, when Clemens Schickentanz  and the young Hans-Joachim Stuck triumphed in a BMW 2002 ti. In 1998, Andreas Bovensiepen, Marc Duez, Christian Menzel and Stuck achieved the first victory for a car with a diesel engine: the BMW 320d. The last BMW victory dates back to 2010, when Augusto Farfus, Jörg Müller, Uwe Alzen and Pedro Lamy secured the win in a dramatic finale with their BMW M3 GT. 

The line-up is headed by two works-supported squads: BMW Team Schubert and BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS. Both teams will enter two BMW Z4 GT3s and rely on competitive drivers, among them several BMW works drivers. The no. 19 BMW Z4 GT3 will be raced by Dirk Müller, Jörg Müller, Uwe Alzen and Augusto Farfus while Dirk Adorf, Jens Klingmann, Claudia Hürtgen and Martin Tomczyk will alternate at the wheel of the Frozen Black car number 20. Farfus and Tomczyk are going to contest the second DTM round of the season, on Sunday, before joining their team-mates at the Nürburgring.

The Belgian BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS has entered the no. 25 BMW Z4 GT3 for Bas Leinders, Markus Palttala, Henri Moser and Richard Göransson, with the squad’s second car, number 26, contesting the event in the hands of Maxime Martin, Yelmer Buurman and Andrea Piccini.

The race will start on Sunday at 17:00hrs CEST (16:00hrs BST) and finishes 24 hours later on Whitsun Monday. Meanwhile, the thrilling top-40 qualifying contested by the fastest cars will be held on Saturday.The Nordschleife is the toughest circuit in the world – and that is why BMW puts every new production car to the ultimate test there. As a partner of Nürburgring GmbH, the brand has a modern test centre at the foot of Nürburg castle. The Nürburgring is like a second home for what is probably the best-known BMW Driving Experience base, with its extensive programme teaching participants how to drive safely and in a sporting manner. The Nürburgring “Erlebniswelt” in the Start/Finish area features the world’s only permanent exhibition of BMW racing cars. You can quite literally experience the allure of the Nordschleife as a passenger in the BMW Ring-Taxi – the BMW M5 is driven by experienced racing drivers and instructors.

Pit stops in the DTM – a battle against the clock, where every thousandth of a second could make the difference between victory and defeat. Few crews are as well versed in the art of changing a tyre quickly as BMW Team Schnitzer.

Everything must run perfectly during a pit stop. It is all about routine, precision and speed. In a sport, in which fractions of a second are all important, everything cog must fall perfectly into place. It is with good reason that the DTM crews spend all year practicing their pit stops, in order to ensure that everything goes to plan come the races.

BMW Team Schnitzer has perfected the pit stop. At the race in Hockenheim, the team from Freilassing was once again the fastest when it came to changing tyres. On lap 18, they had Bruno Spengler back up and running on a new set of tyres in about three seconds. The entire stop, from pit lane to exit: 20.206 seconds.

The third fastest change at the opening race of the season also went to BMW Team Schnitzer: Dirk Werner benefitted decisively from the crew’s efforts. Because his team was flawless with a wheel gun, he was able to launch the greatest fightback in the history of the DTM and climb from 20^th on the grid to runner-up. As this example shows perfectly, a driver can never win by himself – motor racing is always about teamwork.

Augusto Farfus got the season off to a perfect start with his win in Hockenheim. However, Dirk Werner was the weekend’s other big winner. The BMW Team Schnitzer driver produced the biggest fightback in DTM history.

The first race weekend of the year will live long in Werner’s memory. The BMW driver had really been looking forward to the season-opener, and had spent the entire winter working towards this one event. And then, when the big moment finally arrived, nothing came together in qualifying. He ended up having to start the race at the Hockenheimring from 20^th on the grid. “I was bitterly disappointed after the poor result in qualifying,” said Dirk. “I had great plans for the weekend, and then I was hopeless in qualifying.” 

On the morning of the race, the German tossed and turned restlessly in his bed and didn’t even want to get up. Just a few hours later, however, the racing driver’s world looked completely different. Werner made it onto the podium for the first time in his DTM career. Starting from 20^th on the grid, he sensationally raced through the field to second place in the slipstream of winner Farfus. In doing so, he pulled off the greatest fightback in the history of the DTM. “The race was simply magical for me. I celebrated afterwards. It was a long evening. I just didn’t want to go to bed,” said an overjoyed Dirk Werner. It’s amazing how much can change within a matter of hours.

The 2013 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) is back on track this Saturday at Laguna Seca Raceway, in Monterey, California, with the four-hour American Le Mans Monterey.

The first two races of the debut season of the BMW Z4 GTE have been strong ones for BMW Team RLL, with fourth and seventh place finishes at the 12 Hours of Sebring and, thanks to excellent strategy, an outstanding one-two finish at Long Beach (US). BMW stands second in GT class manufacturer points. With the win at Long Beach in the No. 55 BMW Z4 GTE, Bill Auberlen and Maxime Martin stand in a tie at the top of the driver points.

John Edwards will co-drive with Dirk Müller in the No. 56 machine this weekend as Joey Hand takes a weekend off following a very successful opening round of the DTM series on 5th May. Hand, the only full-time US driver ever in DTM, scored a career-best seventh place finish at Hockenheim. Edwards rejoins BMW Team RLL after co-driving with Hand and Müller at Sebring.

“For sure, there is nothing like winning", says Bobby Rahal (Team Principal of BMW Team RLL). "Any time you come off a win, let alone a one-two finish, you feel pretty good about things. I felt we could be competitive in the first couple of races, and at times we have been. The Long Beach finish was a case of having a really great pit strategy. We can’t just show up at Laguna Seca and think it’s going to be given to us; we have to go win it. I think the BMW Z4 GTE is going to be suited more to the circuit than the BMW M3 GT was. Clearly it seems to be a better handling car. While we are still suffering with a lack of straight line speed versus our competitors, Laguna Seca is definitely a handling circuit. I believe the Michelin tyres will continue to be an asset.”

Perfect start: BMW Motorsport made a dream start to the 2013 DTM season at the Hockenheimring. Augusto Farfus and Dirk Werner came home first and second to present BMW with its first one-two since returning to the series in 2012. An interview with the race winner.

Augusto, one year on from your first ever DTM race and here you are again on the podium. Can you talk about your emotions?

Augusto Farfus: “Saying I am happy seems almost insufficient. A year ago I was a rookie. I was also starting from 19th on the grid. I had to be realistic about my first race, but I was still disappointed not to have a better start in the series. Now I am ecstatic. I have realised a dream and a very important one. I am proud to be driving the best racing car in the world in the best touring car series in the world.”

There was a lot of speculation about how the introduction of the DRS and soft option tyres would affect the racing. What is your opinion on their effect?

Farfus: “Both have proved a hundred per cent successful. Any fan who was sitting in the grandstands today must have been thrilled by the show we put on. I never seemed to stop fighting for my win. The DRS was doing its job. Hankook worked hard on producing the option tyre and just look at the results and you can see they also spiced up the racing.”

With all the action what sort of strategy was the best today?

Farfus: “I think one where the team was ready to react to any circumstances. Who knew that on lap six two cars would need to be retrieved from the track and so this would affect the strategy. It gave the green light for all but very few of the drivers to pit, and this set the course for the race. The only problem from my point of view was that I was never sure who I should be racing with, and it gave the team a pretty hard job to read the race properly and keep a very close track of who was a threat. On many occasions I would see someone in front or behind and have to ask if I was racing them. Luckily I have a great team in BMW Team RBM and so got the correct advice.”

Read here what BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt, the four team principals and eight drivers had to say after the successful start to the season.

Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):

“That was a really awesome start to the season. I must pay a huge compliment to everyone in the team – particularly to Augusto Farfus and Dirk Werner, of course, who presented us with our first one-two since we returned to the DTM. Augusto did not make a single mistake, and BMW Team RBM got its strategy spot on. The same can be said of BMW Team Schnitzer, who helped Dirk climb from 20^th to a remarkable second. His fightback was simply fantastic. I hope the first race of the years was as thrilling and exciting for the fans as it was for us. I feel sorry for Timo Glock. He was looking very good at the start and did a great job of cutting through the field. However, any new team is always on a learning curve, and that unfortunately includes set-backs. That makes me even more delighted that his team-mate Marco Wittmann finished in the points in his first race, having started from right at the back.”

Bart Mampaey (Team Principal, BMW Team RBM):
“I think we have definitely confirmed our arrival in the DTM with this victory. It took us a while to find our feet in 2012, and we also took a good look at ourselves in many areas during the winter break. That is not easy, and I would like to thank every single member of my team for their efforts. We drew exactly the right conclusions – and were rewarded with the victory today. The race was complicated today, and we had an awful lot of decisions to make. We took a bit of a chance with the strategy, but it paid off in the end. Augusto Farfus produced a fantastic performance. And Joey hand can also be very happy with his debut for our team.”

Charly Lamm (Team Principal, BMW Team Schnitzer):
“That is obviously a fantastic start for BMW. Dirk Werner went through a real emotional rollercoaster ride this weekend. After a difficult qualifying, he fought his way from the back of the field onto the podium. That is unbelievable. He deserves a huge compliment for that performance. The same goes for the pit crew and engineers. Our stops and the strategy were very good. Bruno Spengler lost ground in the second stint, for reasons yet unknown. After that, however, he also fought very hard and was rewarded with fifth place.”

Stefan Reinhold (Team Principal, BMW Team RMG):
“The weekend did not go to plan for our team, as we had started out with high expectations. Even as early as qualifying we were not at the level we wanted to be at. Then came Martin Tomczyk’s false start. Following a collision shortly after the start, we then had technical problems with Andy Priaulx’s car, which we will now take a close look at. He did not have a chance after that. Despite this, I would like to thank my guys. They worked hard during the preparations for the start of the season. We all start from scratch again in two weeks.”

Ernest Knoors (BMW Team MTEK):
“We had a bit of everything this weekend. Yesterday we had a few problems with Marco Wittmann’s car, and today we were unlucky with Timo Glock. However, that is the learning curve we are on in 2013. We can also take a lot of positives from Hockenheim. I am very pleased Marco came through without any technical problems to score our first points. That is a great result. Timo could also have left the race with a good result, but unfortunately we made a mistake. We will learn from that, and continue to work hard.”

Augusto Farfus (car number 7, BMW Team RBM, 1^st):
Tyres: Option-Prime-Option
“That was one of the most exciting races I have ever experienced. Right from the word go, it was clear to me that I would be in with a chance of winning from second on the grid. However, I was uncertain, as nobody could really know what effect DRS and the option tyres would actually have during the race. The fans got to see a lot of overtaking manoeuvres and a super fight out on the track. In the end, my team’s perfect strategy made the difference. It is an unbelievable feeling to start the season with a win. I would like to say a big thank you to BMW Motorsport and BMW Team RBM. That was an incredible start."

Dirk Werner (car number 2, BMW Team Schnitzer, 2^nd):
Tyres: Prime-Option-Prime
“That was a magical feeling for me. I was very disappointed after the poor qualifying result, as I had great hopes for the weekend. I tossed and turned in bed, and did not want to get up this morning. Just a few hours later, it is a completely different story: it will definitely be a long evening. My car was sensational. One of my goals for 2013 was to make it onto the podium. I can hardly believe I have achieved that in the very first race. I have seldom experienced so much action in one race. That was a perfect day for me.”

Bruno Spengler (car number 1, BMW Team Schnitzer, 5^th):
Tyres: Option-Prime-Option
“I am a bit disappointed, as a podium would have been possible for me today. The start was amazing, and I was able to make up a lot of places. After the first pit stop and the safety car phase, I suddenly had big understeer for some reason. I struggled with that problem up until the end of the race. I just tried to stay on track and drive consistent laps. The team reacted quickly enough to bring me back in to change tyres again. That allowed me to score good points.”

Joey Hand (car number 8, BMW Team RBM, 7^th):
Tyres: Option-Prime-Option
“I feel bad about the start, as I just stalled it. I knew I had to make up for it so I said to myself go, go, go. I really pushed for my boys at BMW Motorsport and in BMW Team RBM who have worked so hard over the winter. I really wanted to make a mark in my second year in the series. There are a lot of positives to come out of the first race day of the year, and I am certainly happy.”

Marco Wittmann (car number 21, BMW Team MTEK, 9^th):
Tyres: Prime-Option-Prime
“I am really happy and was not expecting to get into the points after a bad qualifying. Ninth place is a really good result for me. I was a bit unlucky with the option tyres, as I got stuck in a bit of traffic after the safety car and could not take full advantage of them. But still, the result is unbelievable. A big thank you to the team, who did a great job with the strategy and pit stops."

Martin Tomczyk (car number 15, BMW Team RMG, 13^th):
Tyres: Option-Standard-Standard
“The jump start was definitely my fault and I have apologised to the team. It was a bad start to the season after qualifying yesterday, but at least I finally finished a race. I had some good overtaking manoeuvres and the introduction of DRS and the option tyres seems to be working out well. I am looking forward to the coming races.”

Andy Priaulx (car number 16, BMW Team RMG, 17^th):
Tyres: Standard-Option-Standard
“Not a good weekend. We had the potential, but at the end of the day the car had mechanical issues with second gear. I also took a few hits on the first lap, which resulted in floor damage to the car. However, I am really encouraged by the fact Augusto Farfus won and Dirk Werner came from 20^th to second. This proves just what is possible in the DTM this year.”

Timo Glock (car number 22, BMW Team MTEK, DNF):
Tyres: Option-Standard
“Generally speaking I will take a lot of positives from my first DTM weekend. I got off to a good start and was already tenth by the end of the opening lap. After that I continued to fight my way through the field and tried to implement our strategy as well as possible. However, I came off the track in the Sachs corner and had to plough through the gravel. We came straight in for our pit stop after that. Unfortunately, one of the wheels was not properly in place. I made a mistake today, and so did the pit crew – that is motorsport. Congratulations to BMW, Augusto and Dirk. The guys did a great job.”

Fantastic start to the 2013 DTM season for BMW Motorsport: at the end of the 42 laps, Augusto Farfus won the opening race in Hockenheim at the wheel of the Castrol EDGE BMW M3 DTM.

This was the BMW Team RBM driver’s second DTM victory, following his triumph in Valencia in 2012. A wonderful drive and a strategic tour de force saw BMW Team Schnitzer’s Dirk Werner fight back brilliantly from 20th on the grid to finish runner-up in the SAMSUNG BMW M3 DTM. In doing so, he completed the first one-two for BMW since the Bavarian manufacturer returned to the DTM in 2012. This is the 16th time in the history of the DTM that two BMW drivers have followed each other over the finish line in first and second.

In a tumultuous race with many spectacular overtaking manoeuvres, reigning champion Bruno Spengler crossed the finish line fifth in the BMW Bank M3 DTM. Joey Hand (BMW M3 DTM) and Marco Wittmann (Ice-Watch BMW M3 DTM) also finished in the points, coming home seventh and ninth respectively. Therefore, five BMW M3 DTM drivers ended the race in the top ten. Martin Tomczyk (BMW M Performance Parts M3 DTM) and Andy Priaulx (Crowne Plaza Hotels BMW M3 DTM) finished 13th and 17th.

Timo Glock’s DTM debut came to a premature end. Prior to his retirement, the BMW Team MTEK driver had produced a strong performance. Starting from 15th on the grid, Glock worked his way towards the front of the field and was at one stage second. However, following his first pit stop, the rear-right wheel of his DEUTSCHE POST BMW M3 DTM came off, giving the debutant no choice but to retire from the race.

Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):

“That was a really awesome start to the season. I must pay a huge compliment to everyone in the team – particularly to Augusto Farfus and Dirk Werner, of course, who presented us with our first one-two since we returned to the DTM. Augusto did not make a single mistake, and BMW Team RBM got its strategy spot on. The same can be said of BMW Team Schnitzer, who helped Dirk climb from 20th to a remarkable second. His fightback was simply fantastic. I hope the first race of the years was as thrilling and exciting for the fans as it was for us. I feel sorry for Timo Glock. He was looking very good at the start and did a great job of cutting through the field. However, any new team is always on a learning curve, and that unfortunately includes set-backs. That makes me even more delighted that his team-mate Marco Wittmann finished in the points in his first race, having started from right at the back.”

Reactions after the first qualifying of the 2013 DTM season.

Augusto Farfus (car number 7, BMW Team RBM, 2nd):

“That was a good start to the new season. We were very quick in all the qualifying sessions, and always among the front-runners. The tricky thing today was heading out onto the track at the right time in ever-changing conditions. After my flying lap in Q4, the track continued to dry out. Therefore, it was clear to me that the drivers going after me would have a better chance of securing pole. For this reason, I am very happy with my second place. I ended the 2012 season with a great result in Hockenheim and am very happy with the way I have started the new season so far.”

Bruno Spengler (car number 1, BMW Team Schnitzer, 7th):

“Seventh place is not such a bad result in that kind of qualifying. The weather made it something of a lottery. I was six seconds too late to fit in another lap, on which I could perhaps have improved my time. With the new format, a lot should be possible in tomorrow’s race. I am certain my team will come up with a good strategy.”

Joey Hand (car number 8, BMW Team RMG, 9th):

“My goal for the season was to consistently qualify in the top ten. I have already achieved that once with today’s ninth place. The car was good, but I did not quite manage to get the very best out of it. However, the conditions were far from easy. Every one of us could have been first or last. Because of this, I am happy with my result.”

Martin Tomczyk (car number 15, BMW Team RMG, 11th):

“Unfortunately I missed out on Q3 by a whisker. We had to cope with pretty difficult track conditions today. Not everything went to plan but, even in my 13th year in the DTM, I am still learning. I am confident I can make up some places in tomorrow’s race.”

Timo Glock (car number 22, BMW Team MTEK, 15th):

“I went into my first DTM qualifying with a very good feeling. At first, everything went really well and I was lapping quickly. Then we possibly made a small mistake in Q2 and the tyres degraded dramatically. After that, I was unable to match the pace of the others. Let’s see what happens in the race.”

Andy Priaulx (car number 16, BMW Team RMG, 17th):

“I got a bit caught up in traffic on my last lap. That cost me time and prevented me from making it through to the next session. In these conditions, every tenth of a second was crucial. I am obviously a bit disappointed, as everything went really well in the wet this morning.”

Marco Wittmann (car number 21, BMW Team MTEK, 21st):

“I had a good start to my first qualifying. The car felt very good. Unfortunately we suffered a technical problem, which meant it was no longer possible to improve on my lap times. We must now find out exactly what caused the problem. There can be only one approach to tomorrow’s race: attack.”

Dirk Werner (car number 2, BMW Team Schnitzer, 22nd):

“I am obviously very disappointed to have been knocked out in Q1, as you spend the entire winter looking forward to the first qualifying. I tried everything, but unfortunately I could not do any better today. I must now do all I can in the race, in order to end the weekend with a good result.”

Having made it through to the Top-4 Qualifying, the BMW Team RBM driver was just 0.116 seconds slower than Audi driver Timo Scheider, meaning the Brazilian starts from the front row in the Castrol EDGE BMW M3 DTM for the fourth time in his DTM career. 

Reigning champion Bruno Spengler will look to move through the field from seventh on the grid in the number 1 BMW Bank M3 DTM. Joey Hand qualified ninth at the wheel of the number 8 BMW M3 DTM.

The drivers started out on a wet track, before the Hockenheimring gradually dried out over the course of qualifying. However, only in the third qualifying session was it actually possible to run on slicks. Martin Tomczyk finished 11th to narrowly miss out on the top ten in these difficult conditions. He was knocked off tenth spot in the final seconds of Q2. Timo Glock ended his first DTM qualifying in 15th. Andy Priaulx, Marco Wittmann and Dirk Werner failed to progress beyond Q1, and will start the race from 17th, 21st and 22nd respectively. Wittmann was hindered by a technical problem on the Ice-Watch BMW M3 DTM.

The opening weekend of the DTM season is underway. The eight BMW drivers took to the track for the first time in difficult conditions during Saturday’s free practice.

BMW Motorsport was greeted by heavy rain and a saturated track at the Hockenheimring. As such, the drivers took a cautious approach to the morning’s work – and still managed to produce competitive lap times in the eight BMW M3 DTMs.

Augusto Farfus in the Castrol EDGE BMW M3 DTM was third fastest with a time of 1:50.542 minutes, making him the quickest BMW driver. The BMW Team RBM man was just 0.208 seconds off the fastest time, set by Audi driver Mike Rockenfeller. Martin Tomczyk clocked the fifth fastest time in the BMW M Performance Parts M3 DTM.

The remaining BMW drivers were placed 11th (Joey Hand), 12th (Bruno Spengler), 13th (Timo Glock), 15th (Andy Priaulx), 18th (Marco Wittmann) and 22nd (Dirk Werner). The four BMW teams will be out to secure the best possible starting positions for the opening race of the year when qualifying gets underway at 14:40.

High-speed relaxation ahead of a thrilling weekend of racing: with one day to go until the first qualifying of the new DTM season in Hockenheim, the BMW DTM drivers spent their last few free hours at the Holiday Park theme park in Hassloch.

Dirk Werner, Augusto Farfus, Joey Hand, Martin Tomczyk, Andy Priaulx, Marco Wittmann and Timo Glock had great fun together on the spectacular rides, as they geared up for the first showdown of the year.

“I have not been to a theme park for many years, and feel like I have taken a trip back into my childhood,” said Glock. “It was fun to relax together with my team-mates again on the day before our first outing in the DTM. Everyone knows that racing drivers are thrill-seekers away from the racetrack too.”

Joey Hand said: “My native USA is famous for its theme parks. By the looks of things, however, there are also some great attractions in Germany. Fun and a bit of adrenalin: the perfect way to warm up for the opening race weekend of the season.”

While his fellow BMW drivers were enjoying themselves at the theme park, reigning DTM champion Bruno Spengler was attending the official press conference in the Baden-Württemberg Center. “I have to admit I am a bit jealous of my colleagues, as they will definitely have had great fun,” said the BMW Team Schnitzer driver. “However, attending the press conference as champion is obviously all part of the experience. It is a very special start to the season for me. I may be the man everyone is out to beat this time, but that changes absolutely nothing for me. My goal at every race will be to get the best result possible.”

Just days ahead of the start of the new DTM season, BMW Motorsport invited the reigning DTM champion Bruno Spengler and 1989 winner Roberto Ravaglia to a very special “Generation Game”.

Both drivers brought with them the cars with which they won their DTM titles. Spengler triumphed last season with the current BMW M3 DTM, while Ravaglia was crowned DTM Champion at the wheel of the BMW M3 in 1989. However, it was all change in Hockenheim. Ravaglia climbed into the driver’s seat of the BMW M3 DTM, which was adorned with the livery of the 1989 BMW M3. Spengler, meanwhile, drove the historic BMW M3 with the Frozen Black design of his BMW Bank M3 DTM. And so, after a few warm-up laps, the duo began its unique race.

Spengler was given a head start of one second per year between the two DTM titles, amounting to a 23-second lead over Ravaglia in the new car. The race ended with Ravaglia overtaking Spengler in the Sachs corner. Just as he did in his last DTM outing in Hockenheim in 1992, the Italian crossed the finish line first.

Speaking afterwards, the two champions embraced the role reversal. “The first time I saw the 1989 BMW M3 in my design, with my name and the start number 1, it was an amazing feeling. Because the BMW M3 from back then is so light, it is almost like driving a go-kart. I had great fun – until Roberto passed me in the Sachs corner,” said Spengler with a grin.

Ravaglia was also thrilled by his journey through time: “It was great to be back in Hockenheim after all these years, and I really enjoyed returning at the wheel of a DTM car. The BMW M3 DTM is a fantastic car. Its black livery is great, but I think our old design rather suits it too. I initially had to get used to the low seat position, but after a few laps that ceased to be a problem. I think Bruno also had fun in my old car. Thank you BMW for this great idea. I will now have my fingers crossed that all eight BMW DTM drivers get the season off to a successful start in Hockenheim.”

Ahead of the opening race of the 2013 DTM in Hockenheim, BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt talks about the new BMW Team MTEK and the challenges awaiting all the teams when the season gets underway this weekend.

Mr. Marquardt, a few months down the line, what are your overriding memories of the sensational comeback season in 2012?

Jens Marquardt: “I will obviously never forget the moments in Hockenheim just after Bruno crossed the line. Even now, they still give me goosebumps when I think about them. We made motorsport history on that day. Seeing Bruno standing on the bonnet of his BMW Bank M3 DTM celebrating was a great moment. However, there were also other great moments. Our 50th win in the DTM at the Lausitzring, the triumph at the Nürburgring, which crowned the festivities marking the 40th anniversary of BMW M, and the race in Valencia when Augusto Farfus climbed onto the top step of the podium for the first time in his DTM career. I could go on like this forever.”

BMW will no longer be the newcomer in 2013. Instead, you will be the defending champions and will have to stand your ground in the face of some strong opposition …

Marquardt: “We will be defending champions next year, which is the nicest situation we could wish to be in. That is exactly why we enter these sporting contests. We are happy to take on this role, although we must show the necessary respect and humility. Sport will always be sport: with two strong rivals like Audi and Mercedes-Benz, you can never rest on your laurels, but must work hard to remain competitive in the long-term. One thing is certain, however: it will not be possible to repeat this kind of historical success – winning the title in our comeback year.”

You have a new team and two new drivers in your ranks. What do you expect from the rookies?

Marquardt: “We believe this to be the right line-up. BMW Team MTEK and its two drivers, Timo Glock and Marco Wittmann, can work their way towards the top without being under too much pressure. Marco Wittmann is no longer a complete newcomer after his year as our test and development driver. There is not a lot we need to say about Timo Glock’s driving ability. I am confident BMW Team MTEK will provide the odd shock or two.”

The signing of Timo Glock from Formula One caused quite a stir …

Marquardt: “Timo will adapt quickly to the DTM and will really entertain the fans. Over the course of his career, he has proven on more than one occasion just how valuable he is to any team, thanks to his driving ability and amenable manner. He learned his trade in Formula BMW. The fact that he is now returning to the BMW family six years after he left his role as test driver for the BMW Sauber F1 Team makes this signing all the more pleasing.”

The DTM race weekends have been reduced to just two days in 2013. What do you make of this move?

Marquardt: “We back the new format. Focussing on the weekend will make every DTM event even more intense. Anyone in the grandstands on Saturday or Sunday will be able to watch the cars from the first practice through to the final kilometres of the race. This shortening of the weekend is obviously a challenge for the teams and drivers. They now have considerably less time to prepare for qualifying and the race. As such, any mistakes made while trying to find the perfect set-up will be punished even more severely. That makes it all the more important to work well as a team and all pull together.”

The class of 2013 in the Formula BMW Talent Cup has successfully completed a comprehensive training programme at its first on-track event of the year in Calafat, Spain.

Each driver spent a good 200 laps at the wheel of the Formula BMW FB02 single-seater racing car over the course of the three training days at the 3.250-kilometre Circuit de Calafat, which is located about 140 kilometres south-west of Barcelona. The talented youngsters, who are receiving comprehensive preparation for a successful career in professional racing courtesy of BMW, also had to undergo more fitness tests. Technical workshops and extensive media training completed the first of seven practical training modules on the way to the “Grand Final” in autumn 2013.

“For the drivers, the on-track event in Calafat was an important step in their training. This was the first time the entire class had taken to the track in the Formula BMW FB02,” said BMW works driver and head instructor Dirk Adorf. “The participants not only had to adapt to a demanding circuit, but also faced other challenges to their driving ability, courtesy of the constantly fluctuating weather conditions. The event in Calafat successfully established the basis for future training, on which the next session will build, when the youngsters take part in their first simulator event.” The next multi-day training unit commences in less than two weeks’ time in the simulator at the iZone Performance Centre in Silverstone.

After the event in Silverstone, further on-track events are scheduled on other European racetracks, as well as theory modules focussing on fitness, performance and media training, before the participants arrive at the highlight of this year’s Formula BMW Talent Cup in September 2013. The “Grand Final” will be held as part of the DTM race weekend in Oschersleben, with BMW financing the winner of the final races for a complete season in a higher-level racing series.

With just a few days remaining until the start of the new DTM season in Hockenheim, champion Bruno Spengler and Timo Glock swapped their steering wheels for tennis racquets and went head to head at the BMW Open in Munich.

The two put on an excellent show for the fans in an exhibition doubles match with German tennis stars Philipp Kohlschreiber and Tommy Haas.

Spengler paired up with Haas for the 40-minute match with Glock and Kohlschreiber, who won last year’s BMW Open. After three tie-breaks, the all-German pair emerged triumphant. “I am a big tennis fan and have already watched some of the qualifying matches here in Munich at the weekend,” said Glock after the entertaining match. “For me, as someone who plays a bit of tennis in their free time, it is fascinating to see what pros like Philipp and Tommy can do with the ball. I’ll have my fingers crossed for them both at the BMW Open.”

Haas was full of praise for the two BMW drivers’ performances on the tennis court: “I was surprised, but it is obviously more fun for Philipp and me if we can play properly and enjoy some good rallies.”

After the tennis match, Spengler had another appointment. He travelled to BMW M GmbH in Garching, near Munich, where he was presented with a very special car: the BMW M3 DTM Champion Edition. In honour of the 2012 DTM champion, BMW M GmbH designed this special edition of the BMW M3 in the livery of the BMW Bank M3 DTM, with which Spengler won the title last year. Dr. Friedrich Nitschke, President of BMW M GmbH, and BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt were also present at this occasion.

“It is a real honour that BMW M GmbH has designed the BMW M3 DTM Champion Edition especially for me,” said Spengler. “Even as a boy I was a BMW fan. My father had a black BMW M3, and I always begged him to take me with him and drive faster. I am proud that I can now put my foot down in my own black BMW M3. The car looks sensational. I hope it will bring me luck for the new season.”

In total, BMW M GmbH is delivering only 54 of this exclusive model to its racing-mad customers. Anyone purchasing the car can also look forward to a driving lesson with Spengler on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. They will take part in the “BMW M Fascination Nordschleife” training course – one of the most coveted driver training courses at the BMW Driving Experience.

After their trip to Munich, Spengler and Glock continued their preparations for the start of the new DTM season. The Hockenheimring hosts the opening race on Sunday, when points, podiums and victory will be up for grabs for the first time this year. Their fellow BMW driver Andy Priaulx was already on site on Monday, flying the BMW colours at the official pre-event press conference in Hockenheim.

BMW Team Schubert experienced a successful “dress rehearsal” for the Nürburgring 24 Hours that will go green in three weeks at the classic Nordschleife.

With rain, fog and low temperatures, Martin Tomczyk, Dirk Adorf and Jens Klingmann came second with their Frozen Black BMW Z4 GT3 (car number 20) in the second VLN round of the season.

Audi’s Marcel Fässler and Frank Stippler claimed victory at the 55^th ADAC ACAS H&R-Cup. The BMW trio took the chequered flag after four hours of racing with a gap of 59 seconds to the winners. Adorf completed the first stint in wet conditions and with low visibility. Afterwards Tomczyk gained several positions as the track dried out before handing over the wheel to final-stint driver Klingmann. The no. 19 BMW Z4 GT3, driven by Dirk Müller and Augusto Farfus, also worked its way up to the front after starting from 24^th on the grid. Ultimately the pairing came eighth. One place ahead of the two BMW Team Schubert drivers, the BMW Z4 GT3 of Uwe Alzen and his team crossed the line in seventh after leading the race for many laps. Markus Palttala, Henri Moser and Richard Göransson were the best-placed drivers from BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS, crossing the line with their BMW Z4 GT3 in 12^th.

Stefan Wendl (Team Manager, BMW Team Schubert): “Conditions were really difficult and tricky today – even if you judge them by Eifel standards at this time of the year. That’s why it’s difficult to draw any conclusions with regard to the 24-hour race on the basis of today’s results. We used this race as a test and were able to try some different strategies with changeable conditions. Nevertheless, we are delighted with this strong result. This shows we are on the right path. Having said that, there’s obviously still a lot of work to do before the 24-hour race.”

Dirk Adorf: “Conditions at the start were difficult. The only thing that was important was to keep the car on the track and stay in reach of the front-runners. I’m happy the team entrusted me with driving the first stint in these horrid conditions. It’s a good thing that we were faced with all possible conditions during the two VLN races, so now there will be hardly any surprises for us at the 24-hour race.”

Martin Tomczyk: “This has once more been a great test for BMW Team Schubert and myself. We were able to run with several different set-ups and strategies in the wet. All worked out fine. We have finished third and second. I wouldn’t mind if this streak continued at the 24-hour race.”

Jens Klingmann: “I was running on slicks for my final stint, although there were still some damp patches on the track. As I didn’t quite know what to expect, I didn’t risk too much on my first two laps. Afterwards I just followed my rhythm, not exactly knowing where we were ranked. Only on the last lap I found out that we were second. A great result.”

Reactions ahead of the first race of the 2013 DTM season in Hockenheim.

Bruno Spengler (car number 1, BMW Team Schnitzer):
“Hockenheim is one of my favourite circuits on the DTM calendar. The opening race will be very emotional for me. This is where I secured my first DTM title last season. I am highly motivated and out to prove I am a worthy champion. It is always absolutely great fun to drive at the Hockenheimring. Most of all, I am looking forward to seeing the fans again. Lining up with the number 1 on the BMW Bank M3 DTM is a very special feeling.”

Dirk Werner (car number 2, BMW Team Schnitzer):
“I really like the Hockenheimring. I fared very well at this circuit last season. I qualified third at the first round of 2012, and finished fifth in the final race to score valuable points towards the team and manufacturers’ championships. However, this definitely does not make me a Hockenheim expert. Other drivers in the field have contested far more races here than I have. Everything must come together on the race weekend in order to challenge at the front of the field. I am obviously hoping for a good result.”

Augusto Farfus (car number 7, BMW Team RBM):
“Although the preparations for the new season have been very short, we are well prepared. It is a fantastic feeling to return to Hockenheim – the circuit, at which we achieved such a historic success last year. The entry into the Motodrom is unique. You come through the fast right-hander and are suddenly faced with the packed grandstands. That is a great feeling every time. I also like the constant switching between fast and slow sections in Hockenheim. It is a super circuit.”

Joey Hand (car number 8, BMW Team RBM):
“I am really looking forward to my second year in the DTM. Being able to call upon everything I learned in my debut season will allow me to get along better from the word go. It is nice to return to Hockenheim. Of all the circuits in Europe, this is the one I know best. It is also my favourite circuit in the DTM. The layout just seems to suit me. I am extremely motivated, particularly as I had a very good test phase in my new team, BMW Team RBM. We have put together a pretty cool troop. Bring on the new season.”

Martin Tomczyk (car number 15, BMW Team RMG):
“You can sense the anticipation ahead of Hockenheim everywhere. I am also really fired up for the new season. The Hockenheimring is an iconic racetrack and one of my favourite circuits in the DTM. The many fans in the grandstands turn the Motodrom into a seething cauldron with a unique atmosphere. Racing there is always an amazing experience.”

Andy Priaulx (car number 16, BMW Team RMG):
“The season-opener in Hockenheim is an extraordinary event. I am certain that BMW – just as it was at the final race of last year – will once again be very strong. However, the opposition has definitely taken a step forward. It will be interesting to see what effect the DRS and option tyres have on the race. Whatever happens, the fans can look forward to an exciting start to the season.”

Marco Wittmann (car number 21, BMW Team MTEK):
“I start my first year in the DTM in Hockenheim. I could hardly imagine a better venue for the start of this new chapter in my career. The circuit has fast and slow sections – everything a racing driver desires. All in all, it is a very exciting circuit, especially when you turn into the Motodrom and are greeted by the many BMW fans cheering you on from the packed grandstands.”

Timo Glock (car number 22, BMW Team MTEK):
“Everyone at BMW Team MTEK and BMW Motorsport has worked unbelievably hard over the winter. The team has really put itself on the line to ensure that we are competitive in the first race. Personally, I have noticed an improvement with every test and am feeling more and more at home in the DTM car. I hope this trend continues in Hockenheim. My first race in the DTM for BMW, in front of full grandstands, will definitely be one of the highlights of my career. This is the start of a new chapter for me. Our goal is to gain experience and learn. I am really looking forward to it.”

The waiting is over: the new DTM season gets underway in Hockenheim on 5^th May. For BMW Motorsport, this marks the start of a second year in the popular touring car series, following the brand’s successful return after an absence of 20 years in 2012.

The four BMW teams – BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW Team RBM, BMW Team RMG and DTM newcomers BMW Team MTEK – will face numerous new challenges in the 2013 season. The option tyres and the Drag Reduction System (DRS) are set to add even more excitement and overtaking manoeuvres to the DTM. The race weekend has also been condensed. In the future there will be only one practice session, on the Saturday, before every thousandth of a second counts in the battle for grid positions in Sunday’s race.

At no other circuit has BMW claimed so many victories in the DTM as the Hockenheimring. To date, a BMW driver has crossed the finish line in first place on 11 occasions. The last of these came at the finale of the 2012 season, when Bruno Spengler finished first – a win that secured him the drivers’ title. When he returns to Hockenheim, it will be the Canadian’s first DTM race with the number 1 on his BMW Bank M3 DTM.

“We are the defending DTM champions and, as such, find ourselves in the best position you could ever wish for", BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. "We are very happy to take on this role. However, with two opponents as strong as Audi and Mercedes-Benz, you can never rest on your laurels. You have to work hard, in order to ensure you are always competitive. That is precisely what we did during the winter break. One thing is clear: it will be impossible to repeat that form of historic success – winning the title in our comeback year. That is exactly why we will never forget those moments after the finish at the 2012 finale in Hockenheim. Our second year in the DTM is now just around the corner, and a lot has changed. Technical innovations like DRS and the option tyres, together with the shortened race weekends, will pose a challenge for the teams and drivers. Furthermore, this is our first year with a fourth team and eighth drivers. The season will certainly be extremely exciting for all those involved and the fans. I am absolutely delighted that the waiting is finally over.”

The 41st staging of the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring is just around the corner. For those teams receiving support from BMW Motorsport and facing the challenge of the “Green Hell” with the BMW Z4 GT3, the endurance classic in the Eifel Mountains is one of the absolute highlights of the 2013 season.

One of the teams expected to be among the front-runners on the Nordschleife on 19th/20th May is BMW Team Schubert. Behind the wheel of the team’s two cars will be a squad of drivers that boasts an inexhaustible wealth of experience on the 20-km circuit, while at the same time possessing the speed required to hold the strong opposition at bay.

“BMW can look back on a glorious history at the Nürburgring 24 Hours,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “Therefore, this event is hugely important to everyone at BMW Motorsport. Our line-up at the 41st running of this classic is in keeping with the level of esteem with which we hold the race. BMW Team Schubert is lining up with drivers who have already proven on more than one occasion that they have what it takes to succeed on the Nordschleife. And it goes without saying that countless privately run BMWs will once again form an impressive and promising contingent, which will provide BMW fans at the track with plenty of action.”

The two BMW works drivers Augusto Farfus and Martin Tomczyk, who will also compete in the DTM at Brands Hatch on the same race weekend, will line up for BMW Team Schubert in the “Green Hell”. Farfus will share the cockpit with Dirk Müller, Jörg Müller and Uwe Alzen. Between them, this quartet has six overall victories at the 24-hour race to its name. In the second car, Claudia Hürtgen, Dirk Adorf, Jens Klingmann and Tomczyk will also be pushing for a top result.

The 2013 Formula BMW Talent Cup season is officially underway. The talented young drivers, who BMW is preparing comprehensively for a successful career in professional motorsport, can now look forward to their first on-track event.

BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt welcomed this year’s drivers to the Welcome Event at BMW Motorsport in Munich. In doing so, he gave the official starting signal for the 2013 season. Between now and autumn of this year, the participants will take to the track at renowned European racetracks, where they will face a multitude of driving challenges at the wheel of the BMW FB02 single-seater racing car. The talented youngsters will also receive comprehensive theoretical training.

As well as the on-track events, which include a large number of test races, the training schedule also includes extensive sessions in the race simulator, as well as modules on fitness, performance and media skills. The class of 2013 will meet up at the end of the week for the first on-track event of the season in Calafat, Spain. The complete field will take to the track for the first time in the BMW FB02 single-seater racing car, which has proven itself to be a reliable and safe training car for the Formula BMW Cup and this year features a new matt-black design. The “Grand Final”, which consists of two races and shares the bill with the DTM in September, forms the highlight of the 2013 Formula BMW Talent Cup. BMW will then finance the winner of the final for a complete season in a higher-level racing series.

At the second ALMS race of the year in Long Beach, for Bill Auberlen, who raced to victory with ALMS rookie Maxime Martin, the win was a dream come true: it was the first appearance on the top step of the podium at his home race for the experienced man from Redondo Beach.

Bill, what does it mean to you to win at Long Beach?

Bill Auberlen: “I have raced and won almost everywhere, but the top step of the Long Beach podium had eluded me until yesterday. I live only a few miles from the circuit and went to my first Long Beach Grand Prix when I was eight years old. I guess it would be like growing up next to Yankee Stadium and finally hitting a home run in the World Series. We celebrated locally in Redondo Beach last night and the trophy sat right in the centre of the table. Everyone there was as happy as I was for the win.”

How have you continued to stay so fast?

Auberlen: “I have not lost one ounce of drive and my passion for this sport and BMW has actually increased over the years. I keep in very good shape because I don’t plan to ever slow down. I live to race.”

You are not only a great driver, but have also become a great mentor to other drivers. How has that evolved?

Auberlen: “To be great at endurance racing a driver cannot be selfish. You have to learn how to become a team-mate and always drive the car towards one goal. I have driven with some of the best and have learned how to guide new drivers. Experience gives me the ability to see what they are missing, from track knowledge to confidence. In recent years I’ve co-driven and mentored Paul Dalla Lana in the GRAND-AM Series. In only his second season he won the 2011 Continental Series Grand Sport drivers’ title and the BMW Sports Trophy as the most successful privateer BMW driver in the world.”

The streets of Long Beach, California continue to be the favourite stomping ground of BMW Team RLL as its cars finished one-two in Saturday’s American Le Mans Series (ALMS) race.

Bill Auberlen and Maxime Martin, driving the Frozen Black No. 55 BMW Z4 GTE, won the GT category, finishing 6.578 seconds ahead of the No. 56 car of Joey Hand and Dirk Müller.

In only the second race for the new BMW Z4 GTE, the team beat a very competitive GT class field with excellent strategy set in place during the first hour of the two-hour contest around the 1.968-mile, 11-turn temporary street circuit. BMW Team RLL has finished with at least one car on the Long Beach podium, including a win from pole in 2011, for five consecutive years. This victory puts BMW in a tie with Chevrolet at the top of the GT Class Manufacturer points. The win was also the first for the new partnership between BMW and Michelin.

Martin started in the No. 55 car from fourth. A spin on lap two dropped him to the rear of the field, but the first of three long caution periods in the first hour of the race gave the 55 crew the chance to reverse its fortunes. Pitting Martin after 25 minutes, on lap 16, Auberlen got behind the wheel with a full tank of fuel and new Michelins. During the second caution period Auberlen pitted twice more for fuel only.

When the race went green with 44 minutes to run, the die was cast for the veteran to not return to the pits for the remainder of the race. A third caution, during which the rest of field pitted, allowed for a bit more breathing room for fuel conservation and Auberlen to move up to second as the race went green just past the first hour. On lap 66 with 15 minutes left in the race, Auberlen took the lead and drove to his first win at the Long Beach.

The No. 56 BMW Z4 GTE had an equally exciting race. Hand started the car from seventh on the grid. He pitted during the third caution period and handed the car to Müller, who began his stint from third spot as the race went green. Charging for the entire second hour he took over second place with two laps remaining to give BMW Team RLL its first one-two finish since the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2011.

Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):

“Congratulations to BMW Team RLL for this sensational result. We have always been convinced the BMW Z4 GTE would be successful in the ALMS. However, not even the biggest optimists would have predicted a one-two in only the car's second race appearance. The outcome of the Long Beach race just shows how well our development team in Munich and BMW Team RLL have worked. Our race strategy in Long Beach was just perfect, and the four drivers turned it into a great result.”

Bobby Rahal (Team Principal BMW Team RLL):

“This is a really good one. The 55 car called excellent strategy. We followed a different tact and at the end we put both cars at the front of the field and the BMW Z4 GTE into the history books with a one-two finish in only our second race. We were able to run more than one stint on the Michelins, and that was crucial to make our strategies work. There is nothing like winning at Long Beach. Sebring is the big one, but Long Beach is not far behind in my book.”

Bill Auberlen (BMW Z4 GTE – car number 55):

“Today the BMW Z4 GTE took me to the top of the Long Beach podium and that is something I have tried to do for a very long time. Great strategy by the team and the Michelins were an absolute pleasure to drive on all day.”

Maxime Martin (BMW Z4 GTE – car number 55):

“I made a little mistake in the beginning, but who was to know that it would set the stage for a great strategy call by Jay (O’Connell) and Bruno (Couprie). Today is a fantastic day for Bill and BMW.”

Dirk Müller (BMW Z4 GTE – car number 56):

“Congratulations to Bill for his first win at Long Beach. At the end Bobby was on the radio telling me to push, but to make sure I brought it home. It was not easy to get by Dominik (Farnbacher), but being old team-mates I knew he would be fair. I am delighted for the entire BMW Team RLL family.”

Joey Hand (BMW Z4 GTE – car number 56):

“After qualifying seventh I was not pleased, but I told the crew I thought we could win. It wasn’t our win today, but I could not be happier for Bill to get his first win at his home track. Dirk did a great job to bring the car home second.”

Just 18 days to the start of the new DTM season in Hockenheim. When the eight BMW drivers take to the iconic racetrack under competitive conditions for the first time this year, a lot will have changed since last year’s successful season.

Not only will 2012 champion Bruno Spengler line up with the number 1 on his BMW Bank M3 DTM, but innovations such as option tyres, DRS and the new race weekend format will throw up new challenges for the BMW teams. BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt gives a brief run-down of the most important changes ahead of the season-opener.

Jens Marquardt on…

…the BMW M3 DTM.

“Based on the experience we gained last season, we have generally made the car more robust. As we are limited in terms of the amount of further development work we can carry out on the aerodynamics, we have tended to focus more on other areas. In particular, improvements to the set-up of our BMW M3 DTM can make all the difference on race weekends. The race engineers in the individual teams, together with the drivers, play a key role in that regard.”

…the new format for DTM race weekends.

“In 2012 we were newcomers to the DTM and initially had to get used to the series and the specific processes involved. We succeeded in this at the first attempt. The reduction of race weekends to two days now poses another challenge for everyone involved. When preparing for the 2013 season, we primarily tried to improve the interplay between the mechanics in the garage, as well as the communication between engineers and crews. We strived to make the entire structure more efficient. In order to simulate the new conditions, we erected everything just as it would be on a race weekend for the first time at the test in Hockenheim – from the pit wall to the radio network. Generally speaking, we welcome the new race format, as we believe it will make the weekends compacter and more exciting.”

…the new team, BMW Team MTEK.

“Perhaps our biggest challenge over the winter was to assemble and integrate our fourth team, BMW Team MTEK. Ernest Knoors’ outfit had just a few months in which to prepare for the first outing. Furthermore, we at BMW Motorsport obviously had to adapt the entire infrastructure to suit four teams and eight cars. The structure of meetings also changed, because you simply need more time for everything, particularly communication between everyone involved when you have eight drivers and eight cars. That also fell into place very well during the preparations.”

…the Drag Reduction System (DRS).

“We tested the DRS for the first time at the start of the year. The first time we took to the track with this system, the challenge was to integrate it in one car per manufacturer in such a way that it did not affect the normal testing. The DRS has consistently been further developed since then. We have carried out a stress test on the system, and it is now ready to be used at races.”

…the option tyre.

“The option tyre was developed to make the DTM even more exciting. It is faster than the normal tyre over the first few laps – only the race itself will reveal exactly how much faster. However, the tyre does degrade after a certain time. Even after the tests, we do not know exactly how it will behave. We will only find that out in Hockenheim when we use the tyre in a race for the first time. Even then, however, we will not be able to say exactly how it will function on the remaining circuits. So, even after testing, there is still a certain unknown quantity in this area.”

…the interplay between option tyres and DRS.

“The combination of the two changes, both the option tyre and DRS, also promises to provide some exciting moments. We endorse the use of both elements, and see them as a good decision for the sport and the fans.”

The Formula BMW Talent Cup class of 2013 took another important step towards the start of the season, which gets underway at the end of April in Calafat, by attending the all-important seat-fitting session in Hamburg. 

The cockpits of the single-seater Formula BMW FB02 racing cars were adjusted to fit the talented young drivers, who are being comprehensively prepared for a successful career in professional motor racing by BMW. This is an important aspect of the technical preparations, as only with an optimal seat position within the car is it possible to ensure that the drivers feel comfortable in the Formula BMW FB02 and can consequently produce the best possible performances over the course of the coming season.

The main focus of attention was not solely on the shape of the seats themselves, which were tailored to the respective body shapes of the drivers in a procedure lasting about 45 minutes per participant. Another focus was the perfect positioning of the seats and thus the drivers in the cockpit of the Formula BMW FB02, in order to guarantee the best possible balance, aerodynamics and performance of the car ahead of the season’s test races. These on-track events are held on renowned European racetracks between now and autumn, before the season culminates in the “Grand Final”, which forms part of a DTM weekend and represents the highlight of the year of training for the ambitious and talented youngsters.

“A meticulous seat fitting is extremely important, in order to ensure that the drivers feel 100 per cent comfortable in their cars right from the first minute of the season,” said Dirk Adorf, BMW works driver and chief instructor. “If this is not the case, they are not able to concentrate on the many challenges they must overcome out on the racetracks. The cockpit of the Formula BMW FB02 must be perfect for all the drivers, so that each and every one of them can perform to the best of their ability. As such, the skilled and precision work performed by the race engineers during the seat fitting is equally as important as the technical understanding and patience the drivers must show during the modifications to the interior of the car.”

BMW Team RLL travels to Long Beach, California on April 20^th for the second round of the 2013 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) season and the next act in the debut season of the BMW Z4 GTE.

The new cars had an excellent first race at the season-opening 12 Hours of Sebring in March. Running competitive lap times at the sharp end of the GT field for the first two-thirds of the race, the team ultimately finished fourth and seventh after mechanical problems hindered any chance of challenging for the podium.

With some five weeks to integrate the findings from Sebring, the team led by Bobby Rahal is confident the new cars are ready for Long Beach – a race the team has always finished with at least one car on the podium.

In 2009, the debut year of the BMW M3 GT, Dirk Müller and Tommy Milner finished third in the No. 92 car. In 2010, Bill Auberlen and Milner drove the No. 92 BMW M3 GT to third. Two thousand and eleven saw Joey Hand and Dirk Müller win the race from pole on the way to the drivers’ title. Last year Hand and Müller finished second in the No. 56 car.

Impressive start to the VLN Endurance Championship for the BMW Z4 GT3. BMW Team Schubert got the 2013 season off to a flying start with victory at the 38^th DMV 4-Hour Race at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife.

Dirk Müller, Jörg Müller and Augusto Farfus secured BMW’s 34^th overall victory in the VLN at the wheel of the number 19 BMW Z4 GT3. Claudia Hürtgen, Jens Klingmann and Martin Tomczyk also finished on the podium, coming home third in the matt black BMW Z4 GT3 (number 20).

After four hours and 27 laps, it was left to Dirk Müller to take the chequered flag, 15 seconds ahead of the Timbuli Racing Porsche. Klingmann followed in the second BMW Team Schubert car, just 0.6 seconds behind the runner-up. The H&R Spezialfedern team also had cause for celebration: Uwe Alzen, Philipp Wlazik and Alexander Margaritis crossed the line in fifth in the number 2 BMW Z4 GT3.

“That is a really good way to start the year. I enjoyed every single lap in the BMW Z4 GT3,” said Dirk Müller after securing victory. Farfus said: “To return to the Nordschleife two years after my victory in the 24-hour race, and to win again, is simply brilliant. The BMW Z4 GT3 is a fantastic car.”

The drivers of car number 20 were also happy with the outcome of the race. “First and third – you can’t make a much better start to the VLN than that,” said Tomczyk, who, like Farfus, took time out from preparing for the 2013 DTM season to compete at the Nürburgring. “We are really happy and the car is extremely competitive. I really enjoyed this outing.” Hürtgen appeared slightly surprised by BMW Team Schubert’s fantastic result: “We did not expect to fare quite so well right at the beginning of the season. That was the perfect start.”

Over 200 cars were in action at the opening race of the new VLN season. Almost a quarter of the participants lined up in BMW racing cars.

The stage is set for the start of the DTM season in Hockenheim on 5th May, which is eagerly awaited by drivers, teams and fans alike. The four BMW teams and their rivals all completed their preparations for the first of ten races in 2013 with four days of testing at the same venue

The varying conditions – with some cool temperatures and heavy downpours – presented the eight BMW DTM drivers with a real challenge. Despite this, the teams still managed to run through a comprehensive programme, consisting of well over 8,000 test kilometres, and once again gained valuable data and experience with the BMW M3 DTM.

As at the previous test in Barcelona, the drivers took to the track in Hockenheim with the new Drag Reduction System (DRS) and Hankook’s option tyres. It was announced at Tuesday’s media day that both these innovations will be used over the course of the season.

Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):

“We completed our preparations for the new DTM season with over 8,000 more test kilometres in Hockenheim. Although the unsettled weather, which mostly resulted in wet conditions, was not exactly ideal, we were still able to complete an intense programme over the course of the final four days of testing ahead of the opening race. Two of the things we focussed on were the DRS and option tyres. The drivers once again coped well with these innovations at the Hockenheimring. Despite the difficult conditions, we still learned a lot. The lap times should not be taken as an indication of the balance of power come the season-opener. The only certainty is that we have prepared meticulously and are now really looking forward to going head to head with the opposition under race conditions. It will definitely be a close affair in Hockenheim. The fans can look forward to an exciting start to the season.”

Bruno Spengler (car number 1, BMW Team Schnitzer):

“The test here in Hockenheim was very interesting and insightful, even though the unsettled weather conditions made it extremely difficult to carry out any good set-up work. However, the conditions were the same for everyone. On the whole, I am happy with the results of testing. It was a great feeling to be back in Hockenheim. After all, this is where I clinched the title in the final race last season. It brings back a lot of very nice memories. However, we are only looking ahead to the future now. I am looking forward to the first qualifying. Only then will we know how well positioned we really are.”

Dirk Werner (car number 2, BMW Team Schnitzer):

“The weather conditions did not make it particularly easy to complete the whole test programme. Despite this, we made the most of the situation. We did not have a single problem with the car. Everything is going to plan. We will now review the entire preparation phase and analyse in detail all the data we have assembled. This should give us quite a good indication of how well we can expect to perform on the opening race weekend of the year.”

Augusto Farfus (car number 7, BMW Team RBM):

“The weather played a major role in this test. It alternated between rain and dry conditions. It is always beneficial to be able to complete a few laps in the wet, of course, but we would really have preferred more consistent conditions to allow us to prepare for the new season. Despite this, the overall impression is a positive one. Although preparations for the new season were generally very short, we are on the right track with regard to the start of the season. It was a great feeling to be back in Hockenheim.”

Joey Hand (car number 8, BMW Team RBM):

“I am very happy we were able to complete the programme we had planned. We were looking good in both wet and dry conditions. The relationship with BMW Team RBM is working really well. I initially had to make sure that our mechanics and engineers could understand my Californian gibberish, but we have a pretty cool troop here. The handling of our car is excellent, as is the new design. It looks awesome and quick. Over the course of my career, I have never yet been disappointed by a fast-looking car.”

Martin Tomczyk (car number 15, BMW Team RMG):

“The test in Hockenheim is always a bit special for us drivers. After all, this circuit will soon be the venue for the first race of the new DTM season. Despite the unsettled weather conditions encountered over the course of the week, BMW Team RMG and I were still able to complete our test programme – which is not always easy, particularly when you have some heavy rain. However, it is difficult to draw any conclusions for the new season from the test. Only the opening race in Hockenheim will show who has really done a good job. I am confident we will be in a really good position come 5th May. You can sense the anticipation ahead of the new season throughout the entire paddock.”

Andy Priaulx (car number 16, BMW Team RMG):

“Our car sits very well on the track and is quick. Our lap times in the various sessions showed this. Because of this, I am already really looking forward to the opening race. I am extremely motivated and have a good feeling about my second year in the DTM. Unlike in my debut season, I now know exactly what awaits me in Hockenheim on 4th and 5th May. I have found my feet quickly in BMW Team RMG, and was made to feel very welcome by everyone. We are fired up and ready for the season-opener.”

Marco Wittmann (car number 21, BMW Team MTEK):

“For me personally, the test in Hockenheim was super. However, it is hard to judge exactly how good our times were. When it comes down to it, nobody knows exactly what the opposition is doing. Despite this, this test gives me a lot of confidence. Our goal was to forge an even stronger bond within the team and to optimise our processes, in order to be perfectly prepared for the start of the season. We achieved that. I am excited to see how we fare in the opening race.”

Timo Glock (car number 22, BMW Team MTEK):

“Generally speaking, the test in Hockenheim was very positive for us. We reeled off a lot of laps and collected informative data and reference values. It obviously rained a lot, but we should now be well prepared when we have the odd wet race over the course of the season – which we inevitably will. We also coped well in the dry. We are improving with every lap, and our pit stops are also getting quicker and quicker. I now feel right at home in the car. We have taken a big step forward. I hope this trend continues right through to the first race weekend in Hockenheim. I am really looking forward to my first race. That will herald the start of a whole new chapter for me.”

The waiting is over: The new season of the VLN Endurance Championship at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife gets underway on Saturday. 

After missing out on both the test and set-up session and the 60th ADAC Westfalenfahrt, which were cancelled due to extreme winter conditions, the competitors in the popular racing series will get their first taste this year of the infamous “Green Hell” from Thursday to Saturday.

BMW is traditionally represented by a large contingent of privateer cars in the VLN field. This weekend’s event also marks the first race outing on the Nordschleife for the works-assisted BMW Team Schubert and its BMW Z4 GT3s.

The outfit from Oschersleben lines up at the opening event of the VLN season with a team of prominent drivers who have proven themselves at the Nürburgring in the past. Jörg Müller, Dirk Müller and Augusto Farfus will alternate behind the wheel of the first BMW Z4 GT3. While Jörg Müller and Dirk Müller have contested many successful races with the BMW Z4 GT3 in the recent past, Farfus returns to the Nordschleife from the DTM for the VLN season-opener. The second BMW Team Schubert car will be driven by Claudia Hürtgen, Jens Klingmann and Martin Tomczyk. Like Farfus, who claimed his first DTM victory in Valencia in 2012, Tomczyk is also part of BMW Motorsport’s team in the DTM, which he won in 2011. The 31-year-old will be making his first appearance in the “Green Hell” for BMW.

“It is fantastic to be back driving on the Nordschleife,” said Farfus. “I have fond memories of this circuit, particularly our victory at the 24-hour race in 2010. I also know both the BMW Z4 GT3 and BMW Team Schubert well, having won the 24 Hours of Dubai together in 2011. As such, I am looking forward to seeing the track, team and car again.”

Tomczyk is also looking forward to the race in the Eifel Mountains: “When the chance arose for me to drive the BMW Z4 GT3 on the Nordschleife, I did not hesitate for a second. I really like the circuit and am looking forward to making my race debut there in a BMW. The circuit is a driver’s dream. It’s a big challenge – great fun.”

Less than four weeks prior to the season opener, BMW and the other two manufacturers introduced the technical innovations and new regulations for the 2013 DTM season during the fan and media days.

The option tyres and the Drag Reduction System (DRS), in particular, should add to the excitement of the DTM. Both innovations are to enhance overtaking opportunities and allow for more varied race strategies. The option tyre is different from the usual DTM tyre in that it is a softer rubber compound, and also lap times of up to one second quicker are expected. The DRS is a system with which the drivers can adjust the rear wing from inside the car and increase top speed.

Further changes in the regulations: in the fourth and final qualifying session, the use of fresh tyres is now allowed. On top of this, after qualifying the teams have to nominate the tyres they will use for the start of the race. In the race, with the exception of the first and final three laps, the two mandatory pit stops can now be taken at any time.

At Hockenheim, four BMW teams are until Friday, and working on the fine-tuning for the season opener on 5th May, which is also held at the Hockenheimring.

This Friday and Saturday the eight BMW DTM drivers, as well as test and development driver Maxime Martin, had a lot of appointments during their  ‘2013 Driver Days’.

Among other things, they spent a lot of time at BMW Motorsport in Anton-Ditt-Bogen, Munich. There they visited the employees and went into the workshop to sign autographs. They also visited the BMW plant in Munich where the employees had the chance of getting really close to the drivers during an autograph session. Afterwards, a guided works tour gave the drivers the opportunity to have a good look at the BMW production-car operation. The highlight of the ‘Driver Days’, however, was the DTM car launch in the ‘BMW Welt’ on Saturday. For this, 13,000 fans, partners and sponsors, as well as the media, were there when BMW Motorsport presented the eight BMW M3 DTM racing cars for the 2013 season in a spectacular event.

On Saturday the BMW Welt in Munich, located next to the company’s headquarters, was the stage for the spectacular launch of all eight BMW M3 DTM cars the reigning champions are going to contest the 2013 season with in the popular touring car series.

Usually, the “Premiere” in the BMW Welt is reserved for those BMW customers who have come to take delivery of their cars. But, some four weeks prior to the season opener, the BMW DTM drivers, Bruno Spengler, Dirk Werner, Augusto Farfus, Joey Hand, Martin Tomczyk, Andy Priaulx, Marco Wittmann and Timo Glock, along with their racing cars, took centre stage in the handover ceremony.

First of all Prince Leopold “Poldi” of Bavaria drove the classic first-generation BMW M3 DTM racing car onto the delivery area and, a short time later, BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt and test and development driver Maxime Martin followed with this year’s BMW M3 DTM Safety-Car. Afterwards, the door of the elevator that usually takes the brand-new BMW production cars to the “Premiere” area for delivery to their new owners opened eight times – and eight times the drivers behind the wheels of their spectacular BMW M3 DTMs thrilled the many visitors in the BMW Welt by driving onto the stage in racy style. Due to the huge interest in the event, the launch was also transmitted live to TV screens in the basement of Bavaria’s most visited attraction.

“For us it’s been heartwarming to give our loyal fans the chance of getting really close to the BMW DTM project. I’m sure none of those involved today will have witnessed a launch like this before,” Marquardt said following the event. “Seeing all the eight BMW M3 DTMs with their individual liveries side by side was something very special – and even more so in front of the impressive backdrop of the BMW Welt. The countdown has started to the second season after our DTM comeback, and it’s easy to see all our drivers can’t wait for the first clash of the year. To date, we are very happy with our preparations. In the test next week we will focus on the fine-tuning. And then, as the defending champions, we will be happy to once again battle it out with our strong competitors in this hard-fought series. I expect a close season that will be extremely thrilling for the spectators, and today’s launch represented the perfect preparation for things to come.” 

DTM Champion Spengler was also thrilled and said: “Taking delivery of my BMW Bank M3 DTM for the 2013 DTM season here in the BMW Welt like a BMW customer was a really unusual feeling. I can fully understand why this moment is such a fascinating experience for them. I’m still of the opinion my matt-black car looks just sensational. It brought me luck and the title in 2012, and now I’m extremely motivated to be successful again this year with BMW Team Schnitzer.”

“I have already witnessed several events in the BMW Welt,” added BMW Team RBM’s driver, Farfus. “But to drive my Castrol EDGE BMW M3 DTM out of the elevator was a truly unique feeling. We have a strong team and everybody just can’t wait for the season to start.”

On Friday the drivers had visited the BMW Plant Munich, writing countless autographs and taking a look behind the scenes of this impressive facility. Right after the event in Munich the eight BMW drivers will hit the road to Hockenheim for the final pre-season test. There from Tuesday to Friday BMW Motorsport and its teams will continue to complete their preparation programme for the first of the season’s ten rounds.

Bursting with energy for the second joint DTM collaboration: BMW Motorsport and Exide Technologies will continue their partnership for 2013 and beyond. As in the previous season, Joey Hand will sit behind the wheel of the BMW M3 DTM in the colours of Official Partner Exide.

“Energy is self-evidently a key topic in motorsport”, said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “What could be better than to have an official partner who is such an expert in matters of generating and storing energy as Exide Technologies is? We worked together fantastically well in our first season in 2012, so we are very excited to be continuing our partnership over the coming years.”

Driving in his first DTM season for BMW team RMG, Hand finished in the points twice and managed to be the only BMW driver to be classified as a finisher in every race. Thanks to the experience gained in 2012, the American, who is also driving for BMW Team RLL in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), is in a strong position to continue improving in 2013.

“The 2012 DTM season was incredibly exciting for me, but very challenging as well”, said Hand. “As I didn’t know any of the racetracks, I had a slight handicap every race weekend. This will be different in 2013, so I reckon with my new team, BMW team RBM, I will be able to get the most out of our complete package right from the very start.”

Ahead of the official start of the 2013 Formula BMW Talent season, the participants met in Switzerland for a four-day fitness training camp

An international training team, which advises Formula 1 luminaries such as Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton on performance-related training, provided the young motorsport talents with the foundation for fitness training and optimal preparation for competition.

The first class training facilities of the renowned Paraplegic Centre situated in Nottwil on the Sempachersee in Switzerland were used for the full duration of the fitness camp. The participants received individual training instruction before participating in group activities as part of the comprehensive training programme aimed at preparing the youngsters for their first on-track event. At the of April the young drivers will participate in their first test races with the Formula BMW FB02 single-seater race cars, thereafter receiving full practical and theoretical training in a variety of subjects selected by BMW in order to comprehensively and sustainably prepare promising motorsport talents for successful careers in professional motorsport.

Dirk Adorf, BMW works driver and chief instructor: “The fitness camp, which saw us use the first-class training facilities offered by the Paraplegic Centre in Nottwil, fulfilled numerous requirements. On one hand it provided the participants in the 2013 Formula BMW Talent Cup with the opportunity of meeting each other and developing team spirit. During the season ahead that is as important as the individual instruction modules and curriculum. On the other, the participants received individual, professional fitness analyses which enabled tailor-made training programmes to be devised to prepare them for the next level. Until the first On-track Event in Spain it is the responsibility of these individuals to implement their newly learned skills so as to eventually achieve the best possible success on the race track.

Adam Constanzo, performance coach: “A primary aim of the fitness camp in Switzerland was to provide participants with a foundation for their future sporting success. This foundation includes effective training methods for conditioning, coordination and general fitness as well as mental preparation for competition, plus emphasis on the importance of optimal nutrition and of active, regenerative and rest phases. The basis for further training within the Formula BMW Talent Cup has now been laid. Now I am looking forward to detailed training with the drivers over the coming months.”

The four BMW teams have made another important step on the way to the start of the DTM season on 5^th May 2013 at Hockenheim. Over the course of four days of testing at Barcelona, the BMW drivers covered more than 7,000 kilometres.

During the test, the eight BMW DTM drivers and test and development driver Maxime Martin continued the preparations for the first race of the year by completing an extensive programme. Reigning DTM champion Bruno Spengler tested with his BMW Bank M3 DTM on Tuesday and handed over the wheel of the car to Martin on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Augusto Farfus, Martin Tomczyk and Timo Glock were also on duty on the first two days. On Thursday and Friday, Dirk Werner, Joey Hand, Andy Priaulx and Marco Wittmann took to the track. The fastest lap time of all the BMW drivers was set by Farfus on Wednesday. His personal best time was 1:06.177 minutes.

In addition to working on the set-up of the four BMW M3 DTMs, the BMW drivers tested two potential innovations for the 2013 DTM season: the newly developed Hankook option tyres and the Drag Reduction System (DRS). The BMW drivers used the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the new tyre spec and the adjustable rear wing. The next important date in the run-up to the season kick-off is the presentation of all the BMW M3 DTM cars in Munich’s BMW Welt on 6^th April 2013. Just three days later, the second and final joint pre-season test will begin at Hockenheim.

Bruno Spengler (#1, BMW Team Schnitzer):

“Being back in the car was a lot of fun. You can feel the increasing excitement ahead of the season everywhere. The testing was okay – we successfully completed our scheduled programme. Quite obviously, the new option tyres and the DRS made for extra excitement. When it comes to the tyres, we took a close look at the performance of the new spec over longer distances, and we learned a lot. The DRS is definitely a lot of fun for every racing driver. You clearly feel you can shift up earlier and that the top speed on the straights is higher. That’s something you have to get used to and, therefore, you have to work lap by lap on finding the limit. That’s why the test here in Barcelona – and also the one held in Hockenheim – are so important.”

Dirk Werner (#2, BMW Team Schnitzer):

“It’s great to have got back on the track. The test at Barcelona felt somewhat like an unofficial season kick-off. It was about completing our scheduled testing programme lap by lap and getting experience with the option tyres and the DRS at the same time. As I see it, both look likely to add excitement to the races.”

Augusto Farfus (#7, BMW Team RBM):

“You can really feel the increasing excitement in the run-up to the season opener. It was great trying the option tyres and the DRS. Both innovations certainly have got what it takes to help us provide the DTM fans with even more thrilling motor racing. We had no major problems at Barcelona and made good progress. There still is a lot of work to do, but I’m optimistic we will be well prepared for the start of the season.”

Joey Hand (#8, BMW Team RBM):

“It was my first real outing for BMW Team RBM and, in addition, Barcelona’s circuit represented virgin territory for me. Despite this I can say everything worked just fine. The guys did a great job. The conditions here change massively over the course of the day. We virtually had to hunt this track down. Despite this, we learned a lot. I hope the test at Hockenheim will be just as successful.”

Martin Tomczyk (#15, BMW Team RMG):

“I can feel the excitement growing. My first day of testing on Tuesday was one of the best in my entire career. We were able to fully test the potential innovations. Then, on day two, it was back to a more conventional programme. The overall result is positive, and despite the limited preparation time we are heading in the right direction.”

Andy Priaulx (#16, BMW Team RMG):

“Doing a test like this with my new team is really nice. We used the time to get to know one another better – and I quickly found a good rhythm. I definitely will leave Barcelona with a lot of positive experiences under my belt. The option tyre is quick and consistent. Then when you go out again on the standard tyres after a stint on the options you have to re-adapt. That’s an interesting challenge.”

Marco Wittmann (#21, BMW Team MTEK):

“I was really looking forward to the test here at Barcelona. After all, it was my first outing with my new Ice-Watch BMW M3 DTM. I felt really comfortable in the car, and the relationship with BMW Team MTEK is already very good. It’s important for us to get used to each another and optimise the work flow to make sure we will be in the best possible shape for the season opener. And today was a good step on the way to achieving this goal.”

Timo Glock (#22, BMW Team MTEK):

“We were able to complete a lot of laps and, quite obviously, this was helpful for us as a new team and for me as a DTM rookie. I still have problems in understanding the standard tyre but despite this was happy with our long-runs. At the same time, driving with the option tyres was a lot of fun for me. We will continue our work at Hockenheim and try to make the best possible use of the short preparation time prior to the start of the season.”

Maxime Martin (BMW Motorsport Test and Development Driver):

“Unfortunately, a technical problem cost me some time. However, I still completed a total of 120 laps and once again learned a lot. Altogether I’m happy with the test. Being a part of this team, enjoying the atmosphere and driving this sensational car is just fantastic.”

The final preparations for the DTM are heating up: the BMW teams are spending four days testing at the “Circuit de Catalunya” to ensure their cars are fit for the 2013 season. There was plenty of action out on the track on day 1.

Day one of the joint tests, attended by all three manufacturers represented in the DTM – and Augusto Farfus, Timo Glock, Bruno Spengler and Martin Tomczyk immediately got stuck into a comprehensive programme. The fastest BMW was that of Tomczyk, whose quickest lap time on the 2.977-kilometre variant of the circuit was 1:06.787 minutes.

As well as the intensive set-up work on the BMW M3 DTM, the focus in Spain was also on two new innovations, which were being tested with a view to possibly being used in the 2013 season: Hankook’s new option tyres and the Drag Reduction System (DRS).

“The test day was okay and we were able to complete our planned programme. It was obviously exciting to use the new option tyres and DRS,” said DTM champion Spengler. “As far as the tyres are concerned, we took a close look at how the new spec works over a longer distance. We learned a lot this way. The DRS is obviously great fun for a racing driver. You can really feel how it is possible to shift up a gear earlier and reach a higher top speed on the straight. You have to get used to it at first and sound it out lap by lap. That is why the tests here in Barcelona and in Hockenheim are so extremely important.”

On 6th April, the eight BMW DTM drivers present their cars in the BMW Welt in Munich.

Shortly before the four-day test at Hockenheim, the BMW Motorsport DTM squad will make a stopover at home: on 6th April the eight BMW drivers Bruno Spengler, Dirk Werner, Augusto Farfus, Joey Hand, Martin Tomczyk, Andy Priaulx, Marco Wittmann und Timo Glock will present their BMW M3 DTM cars in Munich’s BMW Welt.

They will drive their cars to the exhibition area, the so-called ‘Premiere’, in spectacular style and then pose for the BMW Welt visitors next to their cars. Following the presentation, that will start at 2:00 pm, two autograph sessions will be held at the BMW Welt plaza from 2:45 pm to 4:15 pm. There, the fans will have the chance of getting really close to the drivers.

In addition to the drivers, the Team Principals – Charly Lamm, Ernest Knoors, Bart Mampaey and Stefan Reinhold – as well as BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt also will be on site.

The support programme for the presentation, which begins at 10:00, offers fans the opportunity to take part in a Pit Stop Challenge, drive a racing simulator, check out the original trophies from the 2012 DTM season, and sign their name on the BMW fan banner.

For more than eight hours a top result was in reach for BMW Team RLL at the American Le Mans Series season opener at the “Sebring International Raceway”. While in the end technical problems in the final third of the race denied Bobby Rahal’s squad a shot at a possible podium finish, BMW Motorsport was able to draw a positive conclusion after the race debut of the newly developed BMW Z4 GTE.

The two cars showed a promising pace, finishing fourth and seventh in the GT category after 12 hours.

Bill Auberlen, Maxime Martin and Jörg Müller were able to battle it out at the front of the field with the Frozen Black No. 55 BMW Z4 GTE for most of the endurance classic, before the trio lost time and positions due to an issue with the power steering. After 330 laps, final-stint driver Müller crossed the line in fourth. The No. 56 BMW Z4 GTE, driven by Dirk Müller, Joey Hand and John Edwards, delivered an equally strong race, even leading for several kilometres in the BMW Z4 GTE’s maiden ALMS race. However, a problem with the front left strut with three and a half hours to go made repair work necessary. Dirk Müller lost many positions, dropping down from second. Hand ultimately took the chequered flag in seventh.

BMW Motorsport and BMW Team RLL, nevertheless, had every reason to be satisfied with the first outing of the BMW Z4 GTE in race conditions – on one of North America’s most challenging circuits. All six drivers, including the series newcomers Martin and Edwards, were able to record competitive lap times with the new car and challenge the strong competition at the front of the GT pack. In addition, the engineers collected valuable insights over the course of the weekend, which will now be used for further development the car and getting it prepared for the second ALMS race at Long Beach on 20^th April.

Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):

“We didn’t necessarily expect to be able to set our sights on top positions with the new BMW Z4 GTE in the GT class of the American Le Mans Series from the word go. The lap times and the consistency of our drivers was promising, both cars were able to fight among the front-runners in the first two thirds of the race. Unfortunately they lost ground due to technical gremlins. However, it hardly comes as a surprise that such problems can occur on a car that hasn’t completed too many kilometres of testing. In any case, BMW Team RLL and the BMW Motorsport crew proved their fighting spirit until the very end and delivered a good performance. The BMW Z4 GTE proved its potential, and that’s what we had all hoped for. In addition we saw just how strong our driver line-up is. All six of them were running really well. Now we will draw the right conclusions from this race and are looking forward to our second ALMS outing in Long Beach. It’s all about getting closer to the limit of the BMW Z4 GTE on a race by race basis, and today we have taken the first step.”

Bobby Rahal (Team Principal BMW Team RLL):

“Sebring usually puts the biggest demands on the cars, and that’s what we also saw today. This race was a true test for our new car. Obviously there are still some issues that we need to sort out. But when the car was out on the track, it ran competitively. So that gives us a lot of optimism for the future. We were in a good position to do well in this race, but a better result just couldn’t be. We will be ready for the next race.”

Bill Auberlen (BMW Z4 GTE – car number 55):

“I think everyone is surprised about how good it went for us overall here in Sebring. BMW Motorsport once more came up with a competitive car from the word go. Of course we need to improve in certain areas, but anything else would come as a big surprise. The whole team did a great job, never gave up and really deserved this fourth place finish.”

Maxime Martin (BMW Z4 GTE – car number 55):

“This has been a very exciting weekend for me. I really enjoyed my first ALMS appearance and instantly felt at home at BMW Team RLL. Fourth is a good result to start with. Maybe we could have scored an even better result under normal circumstances.”

Jörg Müller (BMW Z4 GTE – car number 55):

“During my first stint I hit another car with the front of our BMW Z4 GTE, which had a negative effect on the balance. With every pit stop we managed to improve the situation more. For many hours the car went like clockwork and we were able to push really hard. Finishing fourth is quite okay considering the problems we had.”

Dirk Müller (BMW Z4 GTE – car number 56):

“Obviously it’s a bit of a pity we dropped back in the final stages of the race. However, things like that just happen at the debut of a brand new car. However, I walk away from Sebring with many positive thoughts in my mind. I’m really happy that the new season is finally underway, and the BMW Z4 GTE makes me really look forward to the next races. Of course there’s still a lot of work to do, but the basis is definitely good.”

Joey Hand (BMW Z4 GTE – car number 56):

“This has been a decent debut for our BMW Z4 GTE. We could really feel in the cockpit how ‘racy’ this car is. We gained a lot of experience, not just regarding the car, but also regarding our new Michelin tyres. After our victories in the past finishing seventh feels a bit unfamiliar. But I’m sure the BMW Z4 GTE has got everything that is needed to be back at the front really soon.”

John Edwards (BMW Z4 GTE – car number 56):

“It’s been just a great feeling to race this unbelievable car here in Sebring. I managed to find a nice rhythm, and the BMW Z4 GTE really made life easy for me. I’m happy that I slotted in well in this new environment. The engineers and my team-mates helped me in a sensational way. Experience is just such an important factor at this track. Normally we could have challenged for a better result. Still we should be happy with this promising debut.”

Experience the Nürburgring 24 Hours live among the BMW M community, between the blue sky and the “Green Hell”. The M FESTIVAL Package is your ticket to three unforgettable days of racing at the Ring.

This year, BMW M fans can once again look forward to a unique experience full of emotion, all centred around the “most powerful letter in the world”. From 18^th to 20^th May 2013, the M Festival returns to the Nürburgring for the third time. M fans will have the unique opportunity to follow the breath-taking race from the best locations at the Nürburgring, whilst also experiencing a superlative three-day programme at the 41^st staging of the 24-hour race in the “Green Hell”. You entry ticket: the M FESTIVAL Package.

A weekend packed with adrenalin and the smell of fuel awaits the M community. To get the party started, 200 BMW drivers will have the chance to join a parade and complete a lap of the legendary Nordschleife circuit. The subsequent M Night party is the perfect way to warm up for the race weekend. On Sunday, all those with an M FESTIVAL Package will be able to follow the race from the weather-proof BMW M Club Gallery, which provides stunning views of the circuit. Those wanting to keep an eye on the paddock, as well as the start/finish straight, should head to the highest point at the Nürburgring: the BMW M Lounge in the TÜV Tower. Guided tours of the BMW teams’ garages also offer many fans an exclusive insight into what goes on behind the scenes.

Be there live – and secure your ticket for the 2013 M Festival now. As well as the admission ticket to the Nürburgring 24 Hours, the package also includes access to all M Festival areas, as well as a free shuttle between the event areas, continuous catering (all food and drink within the M Festival is included in the package), a reserved parking place, live entertainment, and many more highlights. You can find more information and book tickets at www.The-M-Festival.de.

The 2013 season of the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) is not the only thing kicking off at the 12 Hours of Sebring this weekend. The race also marks the start of a new era in BMW Motorsport’s programme in North America: This is the first time BMW Team RLL will line up against opposition in the GT class with the newly developed BMW Z4 GTE.

The BMW Z4 GTE debuts in the wake of an extremely successful Sebring scorecard for its predecessor, the BMW M3 GT. BMW Team RLL won the GT class at the endurance classic in Florida in both 2011 and 2012. This year, the 61^st staging of the race at the “Sebring International Raceway” will serve as a marker to determine the strength of the new car. At the wheel of a sinister No. 55 BMW Z4 GTE finished in BMW’s Frozen Black will be Bill Auberlen (US), Maxime Martin (BE) and Jörg Müller (DE). The No. 56 car – in classic, Alpine White BMW Motorsport livery – will be driven by Dirk Müller (DE), Joey Hand (US) and John Edwards (US).

Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):

“After all the months of development and preparation with the new BMW Z4 GTE, we are obviously now looking forward to testing ourselves against the opposition for the first time in Sebring. We have been very successful at this 12-hour race in recent years. I am excited to see whether the BMW Z4 GTE will cope as well with the specific demands of this race as its predecessor the BMW M3 GT did. We would like to start the season with a good result. However, the priority is to capitalise on the potential of the new car. This will obviously take a while.”

Bobby Rahal (Team Principal of BMW Team RLL):

“We had a reasonably good test at Sebring. The new BMW Z4 GTE ran relatively reliably, which is the first battle at a place like Sebring. I don't know how we stack up against the competition, because we didn't run with many of them and track conditions changed. The drivers seemed to be happy with the handling of the car. I guess I'm never confident going into any race – and particularly not going into Sebring. However, we can be quite happy with the way our preparation program went. Let’s wait and see what the season opener has in store for us.”

Bill Auberlen (BMW Z4 GTE – car number 55):

“This year will be my 20^th time at the 12 Hours of Sebring and, after driving the new BMW Z4 GTE at our tests, I’m looking forward to my anniversary even more. I think we’re looking quite good, considering the early phase in our development program. It’s a lot of fun to drive the car and my new teammate, Maxime Martin, is fantastic. There are not many things someone can do for 20 years without it ever getting a little boring. Racing is one of those things. I am more passionate about it every year.”

Maxime Martin (BMW Z4 GTE – car number 55):

“I’ve heard many great things about Sebring. The track is completely ‘American Style’. By that I mean it is very bumpy with walls everywhere. It is quite different to the European circuits I’m used to. The BMW Z4 GTE made a good impression on me in our two-day test at Sebring. I’m really looking forward to the race.”

Jörg Müller (BMW Z4 GTE – car number 55):

“I really enjoyed my return to Sebring in 2012. The atmosphere in Florida is simply sensational. You can sense just how pleased the ALMS fans are that the winter break is finally over. The new season is welcomed with a big party. BMW Team RLL has prepared intensely for this weekend. We will do our best.”

Dirk Müller (BMW Z4 GTE – car number 56):

“I’m always excited to start the season, especially at Sebring. This year almost everything is new, from the car and tyres to my two new team-mates. We are obviously well aware it will be very difficult to win the GT class three years in a row, especially with a new car. However, I know everyone in the team is extremely motivated to do well.”

Joey Hand (BMW Z4 GTE – car number 56):

“Sebring has become a very special place for me with two consecutive wins. In fact, I still hear from people about how exciting last year’s finish was. GT racing in the ALMS – especially at Sebring - is outstanding. It is a race and a place that makes me drive every lap as hard as I can.”

John Edwards (BMW Z4 GTE – car number 56):

“I’ve raced in support races to the 12 Hours in previous seasons, but have not been here for four years. Because of this, it was very nice to be able to test here and familiarise myself with the Sebring circuit. I’ve kept my eye on ALMS competition in past years and I’m delighted to make my debut at Sebring with BMW and BMW Team RLL.”

The Wiechers-Sport team will once again line up with a BMW 320 TC in the 2013 season of the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC). At the wheel will be Fredy Barth, who succeeds Stefano D’Aste.

D’Aste won two FIA WTCC races for Wiechers-Sport in 2012 and will start with his own team in a BMW 320 TC this season.

“We have been on good terms with Fredy for a long time. When the opportunity arose to work together, we did not hang around,” said Team Principal Dominik Greiner. “We had two test days at the Slovakiaring last week. Fredy adapted very quickly to the rear-wheel drive BMW. I assume he will also do well in the races and will be pushing for good results.”

The season begins on 24th March with two races in Monza - with Fredy Barth driving his blue BMW 320 TC.

Just as they did prior to the successful 2012 season, the BMW drivers have launched the final phase of preparations ahead of this year’s season-opener in Hockenheim with a fitness week in Viareggio.

Under the guidance of Riccardo Ceccarelli and his Formula Medicine team, Augusto Farfus, Timo Glock, Joey Hand, Andy Priaulx, DTM champion Bruno Spengler, Martin Tomczyk, Dirk Werner, Marco Wittmann, and test and development driver Maxime Martin all underwent an extensive programme, during which they worked on their mental strength and received valuable nutritional advice. BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt also visited the fitness camp for two days and took part in some of the training activities.

“Like last year, the atmosphere within our squad of drivers is absolutely excellent,” said Marquardt. “Unfortunately the weather did not always play ball, but you could see the special team spirit in the gym and during the many indoor activities, such as tennis, volleyball and basketball. The medical examinations, sporting competition and, last but not least, the fun we all have stand us in excellent stead for the tasks ahead. Many individual components are important in order to be successful in the DTM, and team spirit is definitely one of them.”

For the newcomers in the DTM squad, the diversified week in Italy provided the perfect opportunity to get to know their new team-mates better. “It was nice to have all the drivers in one place and to spend time together,” said Glock, who will be racing for BMW Team MTEK in 2013. “Every one of us received very precise feedback on exactly what areas we can improve. We trained hard, but also had a whole lot of fun and laughed a lot. In recent years I have only had one team-mate, now I have a few more. Each one is special in his own way, but we are all very focussed. We are ready to pull together and, hopefully, put together a successful season.”

Martin, who like Hand travelled directly from Viareggio to the season-opener of the American Le Mans Series in Sebring, also enjoyed the week: “I was actually a little surprised just how good the atmosphere is among the DTM drivers. Everyone is on great terms with the others, and it is great fun to be a part of it. You take a lot out of a week like this. I learned a lot about racing-related fitness training. On Thursday I played a tennis doubles match with the DTM champion, long-time Formula One star Timo Glock and Jens Marquardt. At that point it became very clear to me just what it means to be a part of the BMW Motorsport works team. I now feel excellently prepared as I head to Sebring to meet up with BMW Team RLL.”

While Hand and Martin are in action in the ALMS, the remaining BMW DTM drivers are preparing for the next test. From 26^th to 29^th March 2013, the BMW teams will take to the track in Barcelona at the ITR Tests. As is the tradition, the 2013 DTM season gets underway at the Hockenheimring on 5^th May 2013.

When the DTM season gets underway in Hockenheim on 5th May 2013, the eight BMW M3 DTMs in the starting line-up will not be the only BMW racing cars thrilling fans on the track.

In 2013, BMW Group Classic will send the historic BMW M3 from the 1987 season and the legendary BMW M1 Procar into action as race taxis at each of the ten events on the DTM calendar. With experienced motorsport professionals at the wheel, selected visitors will be able to experience the fascination of a DTM race at close hand.

The 1987 BMW M3 is the ancestor and role model for the current title holder, the BMW M3 DTM. It was with this model that Eric van de Poele won the title in the DTM in BMW’s first season in the series – a feat that Bruno Spengler was able to repeat in style 25 years later with the current car.

The BMW M1 will also stir up memories of spectacular racing success enjoyed by the manufacturer. The race taxi will be the 470bhp car, with which Nelson Piquet lined up in the specially created Procar series in 1980. Three years later, Piquet was crowned Formula One World Champion in a Brabham BMW.

The race taxi rides will take place on all ten of the 2013 season’s DTM weekends. The racetrack will provide the stage for the return of the two legends between practice and qualifying on Saturday, and before the race on Sunday.

The illustrious racing drivers signed up by BMW Group Classic for the job at hand are already feeling the excitement ahead of their appearance in these icons of BMW motor sport history. Only the current BMW Motorsport team members cannot be considered for the “race taxi” driver role, the DTM regulations ruling that the extra experience of the track would give them an unfair competitive advantage.

The BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS will be in action on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, supported by BMW Motorsport.

The 24-hour race at the Nürburgring is once again one of the highlights of BMW Motorsport’s season in 2013. Along with many other BMW teams, Marc VDS Racing is returning to the “Green Hell” to once again face one of the greatest challenges in the world of motorsport. Having finished fourth last year, the Belgian team, competing as BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS, has its sights set on the podium when it lines up at the endurance classic on 19th and 20th May 2013.

The Marc VDS Racing Team, which enjoyed success in the Blancpain Endurance Series in 2012, will receive technical support from BMW Motorsport, who will also provide works drivers with Nordschleife experience. In preparation for the 24-hour race, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS will complete the annual test day within the VLN Endurance Championship, as well as contesting the first and third rounds of the VLN at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife.

“BMW has always supported its customer teams very well. However, this works support is of great importance to us in many regards,” said Team Principal of BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS, Bas Leinders. “Firstly, BMW engineers will be even more involved in helping us with work on site. Secondly, BMW will provide us with works drivers for the Nürburgring 24 Hours. Their knowledge of the Nordschleife will obviously be enormously helpful to us.”

As well as their engagement at the Nürburgring, Leinders and his team will also contest the entire season in the Blancpain Endurance Series. This will be a private venture, the goal of which is to challenge for the title they narrowly missed out on last year with the BMW Z4 GT3. The highlight of the Blancpain Endurance Series is the 24-hour classic at Spa-Francorchamps on 27th and 28th July 2013.

A true sportsman: Timo Glock has been drawing the DFB-Pokal (national football cup) semi finals in Germany's most famous sports show on TV.

Is there a greater honour for a football fan? On Sunday, BMW works driver Timo Glock will perform the draw for the semi-finals of the German Cup. The draw will be broadcast live on the ‘ARD Sportschau’ programme, which starts at 18:00.

Born in the state of Hesse, Glock is a fan of Eintracht Frankfurt, who play their football in the Bundesliga – Germany’s top division. However, the team with the eagle on its badge went out of the German Cup in the first round proper. “Unfortunately Eintracht bid farewell to the competition early on this year,” said Glock. “However, the remaining teams will certainly put on a good show for the crowds.”

Four teams are still in with a shout of progressing to the final, which, in keeping with tradition, will be held at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium on 1^st June. The teams still in the draw are FC Bayern Munich, VfB Stuttgart, SC Freiburg and VfL Wolfsburg. It is now up to Glock to determine who will meet in the semi-finals on 16^th and 17^th April, as well as who will have home advantage.

“Semi-finals are a bit like top-4 qualifying in the DTM. When it comes down to it, only one person is left celebrating pole position,” said Glock. “Given recent performances, FC Bayern has to be favourite. However, everyone knows that anything can happen in the cup.”

The Belgian watch brand Ice-Watch will make its debut in the popular touring car series as Premium Partner of BMW Motorsport. For the 2013 season, Marco Wittmann of BMW Team MTEK will take to the track at the wheel of the Ice-Watch BMW M3 DTM, which bears the start number 21. 

“Time plays a vital role in the DTM. The difference between victory and defeat comes down to mere fractions of a second in qualifying, the race, and during pit stops. We are now picking up on the subject of time in the form of our partnership with Ice-Watch,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “We are delighted to team up with a partner like Ice-Watch, which sets trends in its industry and therefore carries a dynamic image. That suits BMW Motorsport and Marco Wittmann very well. After all, Marco is our youngest driver. A look at the BMW Motorsport watch collection proves the licence partnership between BMW and Ice-Watch in the lifestyle segment is a winning project for both sides from the word go. I’m sure we will see these stunning models on many wrists in the DTM paddock in the 2013 season.”

Within the framework of the partnership with BMW Motorsport, Ice-Watch has also developed a dedicated BMW Motorsport watch collection. “We are looking forward to our new licence partner Ice-Watch – and the appearance of these sporty watches in the classic BMW Motorsport colours at the DTM race tracks,” said Dr Thomas Goerdt, Head of BMW Group Lifestyle Collections.

Marco Wittmann said: “The Ice-Watch BMW M3 DTM looks fantastic. The very first time I saw the design of my DTM car for 2013, I fell in love with it. I also really like the watches. They are very practical and also look sporty.”

Jean-Pierre Lutgen, CEO of Ice-Watch, added: “BMW embodies innovation, design, cutting-edge performance and robustness, as well as excellent after sales service and accessibility. This partnership is further proof the Ice-Watch brand is seen as a sound and credible partner. It offers the brand the chance to further consolidate its position among the leading names in ‘fashion watches’, acquired thanks to a new vision of watches, affordable prices, a wide range of colours and models, and constant innovation.” 

Founded in Belgium in 2007, Ice-Watch now sells its watches in over 110 countries. The brand’s unique design is reflected in the models and colours, which are available in over 500 different combinations. There is an Ice-Watch watch for every taste, every style and every situation. Right from the outset, founder Jean-Pierre Lutgen placed great importance on the concept and spirit behind the brand.

Ice-Watch is not just a watch – Ice-Watch is the embodiment of colour and fashion. This way, the company is able to set trends and appeal to a broad target group. In 2012, more than 2 million watches were sold in Germany and Austria alone, with Ice-Watch achieving a market share of 38 per cent in the price range between 50 and 100 Euros.

Tom Coronel and ROAL Motorsport enter their third season of the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) together in 2013. The chances of tasting success in the BMW 320 TC are greater than ever.

The withdrawal of Chevrolet as a works team has opened the door: the 2013 WTCC season promises to be more open than it has been for a long time. Whereas in recent years it has merely been a question of which works Chevrolet would win the title, many other teams and drivers now have a good chance of winning races and having a say in the championship again.

As well as the privately run Chevrolets and the new Honda works team, Tom Coronel and Team Principal Roberto Ravaglia’s ROAL Motorsport outfit will also fancy their chances as they line up together for the third time with the BMW 320 TC. “Roberto Ravaglia, the team and I have come to know each other very well. As such, there will be no disruptions within the team. Furthermore, the BMW 320 TC has shown on more than one occasion that it is capable of competing at the very front of the field. All this means I am in my best position for years going into the season. My goal is to win races and finish in the top three – at least – in the Drivers’ Championship,” said Coronel.

The experienced 40-year-old will be joined by a new team-mate in Darryl O’Young, a man he himself recommended to Ravaglia. With this line-up, and a BMW 320 TC that features detailed improvements for 2013, ROAL Motorsport is more determined than ever to succeed when the season gets underway on 24^th March in Monza.

“In 2013 I will concentrate even more intensely on the FIA WTCC, and will prepare even more meticulously for the races. Roberto will do the same thing,” said Coronel. “Then we will both see what is possible this season.”

Check out the preview video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvJD9QgSjwo

The 2013 season will once again see a bright yellow BMW M3 DTM on the starting grid. Deutsche Post is continuing its commitment as Premium Partner of BMW Motorsport. Timo Glock will be at the wheel of the DEUTSCHE POST BMW M3 DTM, which will be run by BMW Team MTEK.

“I am delighted the partnership with Deutsche Post is now entering its second season following an extremely successful debut together in the DTM last year”, said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “Together with our Premium Partner, we were able to enjoy good results in 2012, culminating in BMW Team Schnitzer winning the team title at the end of the year. I am sure our DTM newcomers at BMW Team MTEK, with Timo Glock at the wheel, will also cause the odd upset.”

Ingo Bohlken, CEO Dialog Marketing Deutsche Post, said: “There are two reasons for Deutsche Post to be delighted to continue as the Premium Partner of BMW Motorsport in the DTM. On the one hand, the companies’ philosophies are well suited to each other. Speed, dynamic, innovation and teamwork play a major role for both sides. On the other hand, we are also delighted to be able to continue working with our long-term partner Timo Glock in the DTM. We know Timo very well and are confident he will be an outstanding ambassador for Deutsche Post, BMW Motorsport and the DTM as a whole.”

Glock and Deutsche Post can already look back on a long partnership. The BMW works driver has been on the jury at the “Deutsche Post Speed Academy” since 2004. The academy, which is sponsored by Deutsche Post, sees racing and media experts prepare talented German drivers for a career as professional racing drivers.

“To drive the DEUTSCHE POST BMW M3 DTM in my first season in the DTM is something very special for me,” said Glock. “I have enjoyed a good, close working relationship with my partner Deutsche Post for many years. I am proud I am now able to appear in the DTM in the yellow that is so characteristic of the company.”

The corporate brands Deutsche Post and DHL provide a unique range of services in the fields of logistics and communications. They offer the customer both easily manageable standard products and innovative tailored solutions – from dialogue marketing to industrial supply chains. About 470,000 employees in over 220 countries and territories form a global network aimed at providing optimal service, quality and sustainability. Deutsche Post also takes its social responsibility seriously, with programs dealing with the topics of climate protection, disaster management and education.

On Tuesday, BMW Motorsport presented the BMW Z4 GTE as the new car for the ALMS season 2013 at the “Daytona International Speedway”. Here are the pictures.

The BMW Z4 GTEs in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) and the works-supported BMW Z4 GT3s at the Nürburgring 24 Hours will take to the track with Michelin as their tyre partner in the 2013 season.

The collaboration began with joint testing in January, before the maiden race outing together on 16^th March 2013 at the 12 Hours of Sebring, which traditionally kicks off the American Le Mans Series (ALMS).

“We are delighted to be working together with Michelin, and are confident our teams running the BMW Z4 GTE and BMW Z4 GT3 will benefit from this iconic company’s motorsport experience and from the renowned quality of its tyres,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “The durability and performance of the tyres play a crucial role in motorsport. With Michelin at our side as tyre partner, we are excellently positioned in both these areas.”

Three different compounds for slicks (hard, intermediate and soft) will be available for the BMW Z4 GTE in the ALMS, as well as a compound for wets from Michelin’s “Ultimate” wet tyre range.

“In January we began a series of tests that will involve working with BMW Motorsport to identify the operating windows and pressures of our different slicks and also work on the set-up of the new car,” said Serge Grisin, manager of Michelin’s racing activities. “We are delighted with the confidence BMW Motorsport has placed in us. Making sure we live up to these expectations is an extra source of motivation for me and my team.”

Like BMW Motorsport, Michelin can also look back on a very successful history in motor racing. Michelin has won numerous titles in Formula One, at the le Mans 24 Hours, and in rallying.

BMW is embarking on a new chapter of its motorsport commitment in North America: after four successful years with the BMW M3 GT, the new BMW Z4 GTE will take over at the head of the manufacturer’s campaign in the 2013 American Le Mans Series (ALMS).

On Tuesday, BMW Motorsport and BMW Team RLL presented the car and drivers for the new season at the “Daytona International Speedway”.

Supported by Premium Partner Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, guests from around the world were given the opportunity to inspect the BMW Z4 GTE at close hand, talk to those responsible for the team, and experience the iconic racetrack in Florida from the cockpit, courtesy of taxi rides with the BMW ALMS drivers.

“As we approach the start of the ALMS season in mid-March, so the anticipation is gradually rising,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “All of us at BMW Motorsport and BMW Team RLL are very curious to see how the first few races pan out with the new BMW Z4 GTE. We are setting out on a development year, but are very confident we have once again developed a car that has the potential to win races and titles in the form of the BMW Z4 GTE. Seeing our drivers at this event, you could tell how much they are looking forward to the first race in Sebring. I would also like to say a big thank you to our Premium Partner Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts for its fantastic support here in Daytona.”

Team Principal Bobby Rahal added: “Obviously I am very excited to enter this new year with the BMW Z4 GTE. There is a lot of enthusiasm in the team for the new car. Certainly there will be a development period involved but ultimately I see no reason why we can’t be competitive with the great competition that exists in the GT category in the ALMS. Although this might be a development year in many respects, with the level of driver talent we have on the team – including the two new exciting additions with Maxime Martin and John Edwards – I think that ultimately we can have success and do much as we did in 2009, the first year of the BMW M3 GT, and work hard toward achieving maximum results in its first year. One aspect of the launch that is very exciting is not just the introduction of the BMW Z4 GTE and our drivers, but also the collection of historic cars that were the cars that began the success story of BMW in North American racing.”

The guests had travelled to Orlando on Monday, and were welcomed that evening at a dinner in the Crowne Plaza Universal Orlando by Jens Marquardt, Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO of BMW of North America, BMW Team RLL Team Principal Bobby Rahal and BMW NA Motorsport Manager Gordon McDonnell. On Tuesday, the ALMS drivers took them on a series of taxi rides in historic BMW racing cars. This was followed by the unveiling of the BMW Z4 GTE.

BMW Motorsport also announced the driving pairs for the coming season. Car number 55 will be driven by Bill Auberlen and ALMS rookie Maxime Martin. Dirk Müller will contest all the races in the number 56 car. Joey Hand and John Edwards will alternate as the two-time ALMS GT champion’s driving partner. Edwards will stand in for Hand when he is unavailable due to his parallel commitment in the DTM. Jörg Müller (#55) and Uwe Alzen (#56) will bolster the squad at the endurance races at Sebring and Road Atlanta.

The BMW Z4 GTE will contest its first season in 2013. In July 2012, BMW Motorsport engineers in Munich began work on developing a GTE version of the BMW Z4 GT3, which would comply with ACO regulations. The BMW Z4 GT3 itself has enjoyed many years of success in high-class GT series around the world. The regulations stipulate that electronic aids that may be used on the BMW Z4 GT3, such as ABS and DSC, are not permitted on a GTE car.

The BMW Z4 GTE is considerably more compact than its successful predecessor, the BMW M3 GT. All the dimensions of the BMW Z4 GTE have been modified to comply with ACO regulations. The new car took to the racetrack for its maiden test outing in the second half of January. BMW Team RLL was integrated in the process throughout the entire development period. Engineers from the USA travelled to Munich in December to play their part in the assembly of the BMW Z4 GTE.

The car is not the only important new thing BMW Team RLL can look forward to in the coming season: Michelin is the new Tyre Partner of BMW Motorsport in the ALMS. In contrast, Premium Partner Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts is something of a constant. The successful cooperation will continue in 2013. Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts belongs to the InterContinental Hotels Group. IHG maintains, runs and owns over 4,400 hotels and more than 658,000 rooms in approaching 100 countries.

Round about one month before the first race of the season in Hockenheim the DTM will present itself to its fans. The first test day at the Hockenheimring on 9th April will be open for spectators, who can watch the action on track from one of the stands.  On top of that journalists are offered the chance to meet the drivers in a relaxed atmosphere.

Next Tuesday the BMW Z4 GTE will be launched officially in Daytona. One of the drivers will be Joey Hand. In addition to driving in the DTM for BMW Team RBM, the American will race for BMW Team RLL in the ALMS. On Sunday Hand was celebrating his 34th birthday.

Joey, what are you expecting from the new BMW Z4 GTE?

Joey Hand: “To be honest, I don’t know what to exactly expect, because I’ve never driven a BMW Z4 in any configuration before this season. But it definitely looks very fast. I’ve found through experience cars that look fast usually are. I can‘t wait to drive it.”

In 2013 you’re also racing in both the DTM and the ALMS. How will you manage this workload?

Hand: “Travelling has never yet been a problem for me. Furthermore, I’ve got used to driving in many races in different cars in the space of a year. As always, I love driving in the ALMS to an unbelievable extent. I enjoy every minute on the racetrack and in the company of my colleagues from BMW Team RLL. We’ve become a family over the years. I’m still learning things in the ALMS that also help me in the DTM. I’m looking forward to my second season there because I’m able to take everything I learned in my debut season into my second year. That means I’ll be much better at finding my feet right from the start this time around.”

How did you spend your birthday?

Hand: “Well, the new season is starting soon, so right now I enjoy my time at home with my family. I spent my birthday with my wife and my two kids. For me it is important to relax and gather new strength for the weeks and months to come. Already on Monday I am travelling to Daytona for the BMW Z4 GTE presentation. That will be the first highlight of the 2013 season.“

Having completed a sensational return to the DTM last season, which culminated in the winning of all three titles, BMW Motorsport has mainly stuck to its winning formula in allocating its eight drivers to the four teams for 2013.

Therefore, BMW Team Schnitzer – 2012 Team champion – will continue to line up with the proven combination of DTM champion Bruno Spengler and Dirk Werner. Augusto Farfus remains with Belgian outfit BMW Team RBM for another season, while Martin Tomczyk will once again do battle for BMW Team RMG.

The only change concerning the six successful drivers who were instrumental in winning the manufacturers’ title for BMW last year sees Andy Priaulx swap seats with Joey Hand. Three-time World Touring Car Champion Priaulx will drive for BMW Team RMG in the future, while Hand will race for BMW Team RBM. At the wheel of the two BMW M3 DTMs run by the newly formed BMW Team MTEK will be Timo Glock, whose move from Formula One was confirmed recently, and Marco Wittmann, who has been promoted to a regular driver from his role as test and development driver.

“With BMW Team MTEK, we will have even more strength in numbers in the future, which can only be advantageous in such a close series as the DTM. There are obviously some operational challenges when it comes to integrating a new team into an existing structure. However, we are confident we have done just that,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “Timo Glock and Marco Wittmann are also new to the DTM. Together with BMW Team MTEK, we will give them the time they need to gradually find their feet in this series. As far as our other three teams are concerned, we saw no need to make dramatic changes to the tried-and-tested structures. However, we did want to set a few new courses for the 2013 season, in order to get the most out of the strengths of our drivers and teams. This is the thinking behind Andy Priaulx and Joey Hand swapping teams. The allocation of our drivers for the 2013 season allows both the drivers and the teams to take the overall package at BMW Motorsport to the next level by exchanging experiences and ideas. Everyone in our team is highly motivated to succeed as we face the new challenge of lining up in the DTM as defending champions.”

In announcing which of the four teams the eight drivers will race for, BMW Motorsport is heralding the hottest phase of preparations for the DTM season. More tests are scheduled for the coming weeks and months. The eight regular DTM drivers and BMW Motorsport test and development driver Maxime Martin will also travel to Viareggio for a joint fitness week at the start of March.

DTM champion Bruno Spengler and Martin Tomczyk joined BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt as representatives of the BMW DTM teams at Saturday’s “Ball des Sports” in Wiesbaden.

As you would expect, they pulled up in a BMW M3 DTM Safety Car – a sure-fire way to turn heads on the red carpet.

The DTM traditionally plays a key role in the most successful sport-related fund-raising event in Europe, which raises money for the “Stiftung Deutsche Sporthilfe”. The rather appropriate slogan for the 43^rd staging of the gala evening was “Symphonie der Räder” (Symphony of Wheels). Besides the official proceedings, the 1,800 guests, including stars from the world of sport, entertainment and key political figures, were able to go head to head in a number of activities.

Marquardt, Spengler and Tomczyk showed their skills in archery, hockey and curling. After the official part of the evening, the DTM invited the guests to the “DTM Race Club” after-show party.

“The ‘Ball des Sports’ is always a fantastic spectacle. I had great fun there again", Tomczyk said. "That was my sixth time. On the one hand, it is obviously great to support the charity behind this event. On the other hand, I think it is great when so many sportsmen and women meet up and celebrate together.”

“Yes, I really enjoyed myself too", Spengler said. "The show on the stage was excellent. The programme at the ‘Ball des Sports’ is fantastic every year. I was then able to take a look around and met a lot of sportsmen and women, which is always great.”

Tomczyk admitted: "I accidentally tore my trousers while curling."

New season, new dates, new design: in just a few weeks, the participants in the 2013 Formula BMW Talent Cup will begin their extensive training programme.

The BMW FB02 single-seater racing cars, in which the youngsters will be trained at numerous on-track events at renowned circuits around Europe, are waiting in the pit lanes with a brand new design, ready to be unleashed on the 2013 season.

A number of places are still available on the programme. Between mid-February and the start of March, ten test sessions will provide those interested with the opportunity to prepare for a possible participation in the 2013 Formula BMW Talent Cup. At the “Rookie Tests”, which are held in the run-up to the start of the official training programme, drivers coming from a karting background with no experience of a single-seater racing car are taught the basics of Formula motorsport. More advanced tests are also available for drivers who already have initial experience of single-seater racing, or who have already taken part in a rookie test.

The car used at the tests and throughout the training season is the BMW FB02, which has a new look for 2013. Having been predominantly white with dark-blue design elements in recent years, the Formula BMW FB02 will sport a matt-black livery for the 2013 season, which lends to the sporty, dynamic and powerful appearance of the car. On January 19, 2013, BMW and the winner of the 2012 Formula BMW Talent Cup, Marvin Dienst, presented the new-look BMW FB02 at the International Kart Exhibition in Offenbach.

Participants in the 2013 Formula BMW Talent Cup will once again undergo a comprehensive programme of learning, with the emphasis on the practical and theory sides of racing, simulator training and performance coaching. Media courses and technical workshops will also be held. Dirk Adorf returns as Driving Ambassador for the 2013 Formula BMW Talent Cup, completing the experienced international team, which consists of BMW works drivers, instructors and coaches. The training programme reaches its climax with the highlight of the season from 14th to 16th September: the “Grand Final”. As well as receiving first-rate training, the winner of the final event, which will once again share the bill with the DTM, can look forward to a very attractive prize: BMW will finance the victor for a complete season in a higher-level racing series.

From 2013, DTM weekends are set to become even more intense for fans, drivers and teams. Free practice, qualifying and the race will now take place over just two days.

This change heralds a new era for the DTM. The engines in the eight BMW M3 DTMs will no longer be fired up for the first time on the Friday, but will have to wait until Saturday’s free practice. After that, the drivers and teams will have just 90 minutes, in which to set the car up for qualifying, which generally begins at 14:40. The races in the popular touring car series always get underway at 13:30 on the Sunday. The ARD will continue to broadcast all the races live.

The new schedule will come into force for the first time at the season-opener in Hockenheim on 5^th May. The calendar then includes another nine races, four of which are to be held outside of Germany. As well as familiar circuits like Brands Hatch (19^th May), Spielberg (2^nd June) and Zandvoort (29^th September), the DTM will also travel to Russia for the first time in the its history. The series will make its debut at the “Moscow Raceway”, on the outskirts of the Russian capital, on 4^th August. Besides the season-opener and finale in Hockenheim (20^th October), fans in Germany will once again be able to cheer on their heroes at the Lausitzring (16^th June), the Norisring in Nuremberg (14^th July), the Nürburgring (18^th August) and the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben (15^th September).

Four days after announcing his move to the DTM, Timo Glock has made his first appearance as a BMW works driver. He answered journalists' questions - and took the time to check out some fascinating BMW vehicles - at the BMW Museum.

The number 01 BMW Riley run by Chip Ganassi Racing won the 24-hour classic in Daytona. Andy Priaulx escaped a crash.

At the end of 709 laps of thrilling racing, Juan Pablo Montoya crossed the finish line with a 21.921 second lead over the second-placed Corvette. Over the course of the 24 hours, Montoya had alternated behind the wheel of the Daytona prototype, which was powered by a BMW engine, with Scott Pruett, Memo Rojas and Charlie Kimball. Victory for Pruett saw him draw level with the previous record winner Hurley Haywood on five wins.

This was the second overall victory in Daytona for Chip Ganassi Racing and BMW, following their triumph in 2011. Two years ago, the victorious team included BMW works driver Joey Hand. Hand was back behind the wheel for the team owned by US motor racing legend Chip Ganassi again this year. However, the number 02 BMW Riley failed to finish the race. Before retiring, Hand and his fellow drivers Scott Dixon, Dario Franchitti and Jamie McMurray had also held the lead.

BMW was also represented in the GT class at this year’s 24 Hours of Daytona. However, the race weekend did not run entirely to plan for the Turner Motorsport team and its two BMW M3s. When a technical fault resulted in Andy Priaulx crashing in the final practice session, the number 93 car was so badly damaged that it was unable to start the race. As a result, Team Principal Will Turner lined up at the 24-hour marathon with just one BMW M3 (number 94). Bill Auberlen, Paul Dalla Lana, Billy Johnson, Boris Said and Maxime Martin alternated behind the wheel. Turner Motorsport ultimately had to settle for 18^th in the GT class.

Prior to the start of the race, Priaulx had presented the Alzheimer’s charity “Highway to Help” with a cheque for 1000 dollars on behalf of Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts. The cheque was received by Brian Johnson, the lead singer in the band AC/DC.

Timo Glock is returning to the BMW family after five years as a driver in Formula One. In an interview, he talks about his motives behind the move, the challenge he faces as a former Formula One driver in the DTM, and his special relationship with BMW.

Timo, what impression did the BMW M3 DTM make on you in Valencia?

Timo Glock: “As someone who has spent many years driving in single-seaters, it was obviously very different for me to suddenly find myself in a car with a roof over my head. Fortunately the BMW M3 DTM made it very easy for me to adapt. The same goes for the members of the BMW Motorsport team, who welcomed me with open arms. I still recognised a lot of faces from days gone by, so I immediately felt at home. It was great fun. However, I also know that I must still work hard in order to get a real feel for how to push a DTM car to the limit. The test was a good start. I felt very comfortable from the word go.”

During your time in Formula One, did you always keep an eye on what the BMW family was up to?

Glock: “I obviously followed BMW’s motorsport activities. Firstly, as a result of my sporting history with the BMW family, during which I was crowned Formula BMW ADAC champion and went on to be a test driver in the BMW Sauber F1 Team. Secondly, because I regularly came into contact with BMW right from an early age. My father always drove BMWs and, as a kid in the 1980s and 1990s, I always had my fingers crossed for Steve Soper, Johnny Cecotto and co in the DTM.”

What did BMW do for your career?

Glock: “BMW allowed me to make the step up from karting to single-seater racing. The powers that be recognised my talent back then. They supported me and, in doing so, set me up for the rest of my career. Without BMW I would not have had the financial means to work my way through the junior ranks. I have not forgotten that. That is another reason why I have always had a connection to BMW. I bought myself a BMW and even asked to drive a BMW M5 for the Formula One taxi rides in Hockenheim, as it is such a great car. I just find it a class brand.”

Having spent a long time driving in Formula One, what is your source of motivation in the DTM?

Glock: “It was not always easy to spend three years in Formula One regularly watching other drivers from behind who were sometimes doing a worse job than me, but were still way ahead as they were in better cars. You want to finally be back challenging at the front of the field again and are hungry for good results. This hunger became more intense over the winter. Now is the right time for me to make a change. I am really up for the DTM.”

In the DTM, you can make a difference again as a driver …

Glock: “Precisely. Whatever happens, that is what I will be trying to do together with the members of the BMW Motorsport team. I am well aware I cannot immediately be the fastest in what is an extremely strong DTM field. However, I am determined to learn everything I need in order to be successful in the DTM.”

What makes the DTM so attractive?

Glock: “The strength in depth at the top of the DTM is fascinating. Every qualifying and every race comes down to a few thousandths of a second. It is a similar story among the very top teams in Formula One, but the difference in performance between the teams is much greater. My team-mate was essentially my only reference point. I am now putting myself under pressure to prove myself in a far more evenly balanced field. I know Formula One drivers have rarely been able to make an impact in the DTM. I want to prove I am different and will at some point be challenging for victories. Only time will tell whether or not I achieve this. I am certainly not lacking in motivation.”

What goals have you set yourself for your debut season in the DTM?

Glock: “Even though I will initially have an awful lot to learn, I would obviously like to be in the points and, where possible, challenge for podiums. Augusto Farfus showed in 2012 what can be achieved as a rookie. That is driving me on. I want to get the very maximum out of my package and claim the best results possible for BMW.”

How much are you looking forward to being so close to the fans in the DTM?

Glock: “Very much. I came to love the proximity to the fans during my year in the USA in 2005. That proximity is also present in the DTM. Formula One, in which the drivers are always very isolated from the outside world and can rarely give anything back to the fans, could learn a thing or two from the way the DTM is so open to its fans.”

You will only line up at ten races in 2013, as opposed to the 20 you have become accustomed to. How will this change your everyday routine?

Glock: “When you are a potential winner in Formula One, it is no problem to spend three or four weeks in a row on the road. However, when you don’t have any great prospects, the stress really takes its toll on your body. That will be a little less in the DTM, but I still expect a tough and intense year. I will spend every minute between races thinking about how I can improve and be as well prepared as possible.”

Timo Glock will line up for BMW Motorsport in the DTM in 2013. This completes the squad of drivers for the new season. Alongside Glock, reigning DTM champion Bruno Spengler, Augusto Farfus, Joey Hand, Andy Priaulx, Martin Tomczyk, Dirk Werner and Marco Wittmann will take their places behind the wheel of the BMW M3 DTM.

“We are delighted to have Timo Glock back at BMW Motorsport,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “Over the course of his career, Timo has proven on more than one occasion how valuable he is to any team, thanks to his driving ability and open manner. The fact that he is now returning to the BMW family six years after leaving his role as test driver for the BMW Sauber F1 Team makes this appointment all the more pleasing. I am confident Timo will take no time at all to find his feet in the DTM and will give the fans a lot of pleasure.”

Glock started out on his racing career in the Formula BMW junior programme. In 2000 he won the BMW ADAC Formula Junior Cup, and one year later added the Formula BMW ADAC Championship to his collection of titles. In 2004, at the age of 22, he made his Formula One debut at the Canadian Grand Prix. Glock then switched to the North American ChampCar World Series in 2005, where he finished eighth overall and was named Rookie of the Year. After returning to Europe, Glock lined up in the GP2 series – and won the title at the second attempt in 2007.

In the same year he returned to BMW for the first time since his ‘apprenticeship’ in Formula BMW. Alongside three-time Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel (DE), Glock took to the track as test driver for the BMW Sauber F1 Team. He used this as a springboard to secure a regular driving spot in the Toyota F1 Team in 2008. Glock claimed three podiums for the Japanese team before switching to Virgin Racing, now known as the Marussia F1 Team, in 2010. In total, Glock has 91 Formula One Grands Prix to his name.

“It is very exciting for me to drive for BMW again after all these years – and in such a top-class racing series as the DTM,” said Glock. “I had a fantastic time in Formula One, but am now looking forward to battling for victories again with my old friends at BMW Motorsport. That is the approach I shall be taking to the challenge of the DTM. I am obviously aware I will have to adapt to a few areas. Not all former Formula One drivers have found their feet immediately in the DTM. But I am using precisely that as my motivation. After winning the title in such impressive fashion last year, there can be absolutely no question that the BMW M3 DTM has everything it needs to allow us to compete at the front of the field again in 2013.”

The tests in Valencia (ES) on Wednesday and Thursday presented Glock with the opportunity to gain his first experience at the wheel of the BMW M3 DTM, and the German impressed immediately. Over the coming weeks and months he and his seven fellow drivers will prepare intensively for the 2013 campaign. As is tradition, the season gets underway in Hockenheim (DE) on 5^th May 2013.

BMW Motorsport has successfully completed the first DTM test week of the year in Valencia. Between Tuesday and Thursday, BMW works drivers Bruno Spengler, Augusto Farfus, Andy Priaulx, Martin Tomczyk and Marco Wittmann were on duty at the wheel of the BMW M3 DTM.

Timo Glock, who has 91 Formula One starts to his name, and BMW Sports Trophy winner Thomas Biagi were making their debuts in a DTM car. Biagi received the test as reward for his first place in BMW’s privateer competition in 2012. Newcomers BMW Team MTEK also took to the track for the first time in Valencia.

The tests at the 4.005-kilometre “Circuit de la Comunitat” heralded the start of the hottest phase of preparations for the new DTM season, in which BMW Motorsport will line up as defending champions in the driver, team and manufacturer competitions. The first race will take place in Hockenheim on 5^th May 2013.

Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):

“Everyone at BMW Motorsport and all of our teams were desperately looking forward to the first test of the year. Our new team, BMW Team MTEK, enjoyed its first outing and Marco Wittmann took to the track as a regular DTM driver for the first time. Furthermore, Timo Glock and BMW Sports Trophy winner Thomas Biagi also made their debuts at the wheel of the BMW M3 DTM. That was a successful start to our preparations. However, we still have a lot of work ahead of us before the DTM season-opener on 5^th May. At any rate, it is nice the new season is gaining momentum.”

Bruno Spengler:

“As soon as I stepped out of the plane in Valencia, I was immediately looking forward to getting back in the car after the long break. It was a very special feeling to drive out of the garage with the number one on my car for the first time. On the opening few laps it felt as though I had never got out of the car after the 2012 finale in Hockenheim.”

Augusto Farfus:

“It is good to be back in the car after such a long time. I can hardly wait for the season to finally get underway. The test in Valencia was very productive, even though we were not able to take full advantage of the time due to the heavy rain on Thursday morning.”

Andy Priaulx:

“It is just nice to be back behind the wheel of the BMW M3 DTM. I finished the 2012 season with a good result in Hockenheim, and I would obviously like to continue where I left off in the new season. The test here in Valencia was a very promising start.”

Martin Tomczyk:

“The BMW M3 DTM feels just as good as it did last season. Although the test programme was affected a bit by some gusty winds, we were able to try everything we wanted. I am very confident and looking forward to the next stage of our preparations.”

Marco Wittmann:

“The first test went well. I am happy and am delighted to have made my debut as a regular driver in the BMW M3 DTM. The car does not feel any different to drive than the one I had last year as test and development driver. However, the prospect of lining up with this car at a DTM race in Hockenheim in May made this first outing rather special for me.”

Timo Glock:

“My first impressions of the BMW M3 DTM were very positive. It did not take me long to get used to the car, and I came to understand it better with every lap. The fact that we were able to test in all conditions, from wet to dry, was perfect. I have been given a sensational welcome by everyone in the BMW Motorsport team, and even knew a few people from my time as a test driver for the BMW Sauber F1 Team.”

Thomas Biagi:

“Ever since I first heard that BMW Motorsport was returning to the DTM, I have dreamed of one day driving this BMW M3 DTM. That dream came true today. I knew I would enjoy this moment. But now, after 66 laps at the wheel of this unbelievable car, I’m simply speechless. I would like to say a big thank you to BMW Motorsport for giving me this chance, and for the great support that privateers like me receive through the BMW Sports Trophy.”

Thomas Biagi received his prize for winning the 2012 BMW Sports Trophy in Valencia: in sunshine and 16 degrees Celsius, Biagi completed a total of 66 laps in the BMW M3 DTM on Thursday.

BMW Motorsport presented this unique driving opportunity, along with a cheque for 30,000 Euros, for the first time last year as a reward for finishing first in the traditional privateer competition.

“Through their international commitments, privateers like Thomas Biagi are such excellent representatives of BMW in motor racing that it is an honour for us to give something back to these ambassadors,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “Our return to the DTM gave us the opportunity to reward the winner with a drive in a thrilling car like the BMW M3 DTM, as well as a healthy amount of prize money. The chance to take to the track in a BMW M3 DTM was an extra motivation for everyone who entered the 2012 BMW Sports Trophy. Thomas did a good job. He was able to get an accurate impression of just what our DTM car is capable of.”

The outing at the “Circuit de la Comunitat” was a unique experience for Biagi, who won the 2012 Italian GT Championship in his BMW Z4 GT3. “Ever since I first heard that BMW Motorsport was returning to the DTM, I have dreamed of one day driving this BMW M3 DTM,” said Biagi. “That dream came true today. The BMW M3 DTM is an amazing machine. I knew I would enjoy my time here in Valencia. But now, after 66 laps at the wheel of this magnificent car, I’m almost speechless. I would like to say a big thank you to BMW Motorsport for giving me this chance, and for the great support that privateers like me receive through the BMW Sports Trophy.”

The BMW Sports Trophy enters its 52^nd year in 2013. Privateers from around the world can submit their race results to BMW over the course of the season. They then receive points towards the privateer competition and, depending on how successful they are come the end of the year, may be honoured as one of the season’s top 25 BMW Sports Trophy participants. In total, BMW Motorsport presents a prize purse of 250,000 Euros.

Biagi came through against 242 fellow participants in 2012, and was rewarded for his efforts with the drive in the BMW M3 DTM. In 2013, as well as the prize money, support and acknowledgement of BMW Motorsport, the top BMW privateer can once again look forward to a very special driving experience in the BMW M3 DTM.

Timo Glock will take to the track at the wheel of the BMW M3 DTM this week. The German driver is in Valencia for BMW Motorsport’s first DTM tests of the year, during which he will familiarise himself with the car and be put through his paces at the “Circuit de la Comunitat”.

“We are pleased to be able to offer Timo Glock the opportunity to get to know our BMW M3 DTM in Valencia,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “Timo has demonstrated his driving ability over many years, particularly in Formula One. It is made all the nicer by the fact that he is, to a certain degree, returning to his roots in testing for BMW Motorsport.”

“I have fond memories of my time with BMW Motorsport and am very excited about testing the BMW M3 DTM,” said Glock. “Furthermore, I am bound to see a few familiar faces in Valencia from my previous time with BMW. I am really looking forward to it.”

Glock acquired the necessary tools for his successful career in single-seater racing while competing in the Formula BMW series in 2000 and 2001. The German driver won the Formula BMW ADAC Championship in 2001. Three years later he made his first appearance in Formula One, when he made his debut for the Jordan team at the Canadian Grand Prix.

In 2007, Glock returned to the BMW Motorsport fold. Together with three-time Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel, Glock was a test driver for the BMW Sauber F1 Team. He also took the title in the GP2 Championship in the same year. Since 2008 he has lined up as a regular driver for various teams in Formula One, and currently has 91 races to his name.

After finishing runner-up in the 2012 Brazilian GT Championship, Carlos “Cacá” Bueno will drive a BMW Z4 GT3 for BMW Team Brazil in the newly formed GT Sprint Series in 2013.

Cacá Bueno will contest his first complete season in Europe in 2013. Having narrowly missed out on the title in the Brazilian GT Championship by just one point at the final race of the season, the 36-year-old will now join Antonio Hermann’s BMW Team Brazil in the 2013 GT Sprint Series, the successor to the FIA GT1 World Championship.

Bueno will drive one of the two BMW Z4 GT3s run by BMW Team Brazil. His team-mates are yet to be confirmed, although Hermann has declared that he has his sights set on former Formula One drivers from Brazil. As well as BMW Team Brazil, Team Vita4One will also run two BMW Z4 GT3s.

The new GT series will consist of six race weekends and will, with the exception of the final in south-west Asia, be held exclusively in Europe. As such, it has not been awarded the status of an FIA World Championship. Despite this, it will feature the elite of GT racing, with BMW joined by Audi, Mercedes, Porsche, McLaren, Lamborghini and Ford.

The season gets underway in Nogaro, France, on 1^st April. The season-opener is followed by rounds in Zolder, Zandvoort, at the Slovakia Ring, and in Navarra. The exact venue of the final is yet to be confirmed, but will be somewhere in south-west Asia.

BMW Motorsport is sending two European works drivers into action at the 24-hour race in Daytona. DTM driver Andy Priaulx and BMW test and development driver Maxime Martin will line up alongside North American endurance stars for the Turner Motorsport team on 26th January.

BMW Motorsport is sending reinforcements from Europe to the 24 Hours of Daytona. Andy Priaulx and Maxime Martin will take their place at the wheel of the two Turner Motorsport BMW M3s on 26th and 27th January, when they will hope to challenge for victory in the GT class at the endurance classic.

Priaulx is no unknown entity in the USA. In 2011 he won the 12 Hours of Sebring in a BMW M3 GT. Martin, who recently became a BMW works driver, will make his North American racing debut in Daytona. The race will be an important dress rehearsal for the Belgian, who will contest the entire season in the American Le Mans Series for BMW Team RLL in the new BMW Z4 GTE.

“We had a very strong squad of BMW drivers for last year’s Rolex 24. Unfortunately, mechanical problems with both cars meant the result was disappointing,” said team founder Will Turner. “I would like to thank BMW Motorsport for supporting us again this year with Andy and Maxime.”

Priaulx and Martin will be joined in the Turner Motorsport team by a further six drivers: BMW ALMS driver Bill Auberlen, Boris Said, Paul Dalla Lana, Billy Johnson, Michael Marsal and Gunter Schaldach.

Maxime Martin is the new test and development driver for BMW Motorsport in the DTM and set to start in the ALMS for BMW Team RLL.

Maxime Martin has been promoted to the ranks of BMW works drivers for the 2013 season. The 26-year-old will replace Marco Wittmann as test and development driver in the DTM and will also contest the complete season in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) for BMW Team RLL.

“We are delighted to welcome Maxime into our family of BMW works drivers,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “He earned this promotion thanks to his fantastic performances last season. I am particularly proud that he made it into our squad of works drivers via the BMW Sports Trophy. This shows the high esteem in which we hold BMW privateers, as well as the high standard of participants in the BMW Sports Trophy.”

Martin finished runner-up in the Drivers’ Championship in the 2012 Blancpain Endurance Series and also enjoyed success in the ADAC GT Masters. In 2013 he will contest all ten ALMS races in the new BMW Z4 GTE, and will also be present at seven of the ten DTM race weekends. He will make his debut in North America at the wheel of a Turner Motorsport BMW M3 at the 24 Hours of Daytona at the end of January.

“I am very happy and think this is a good way to start my career as a BMW works driver,” said Martin. “I have the opportunity to get to know the DTM team and gain valuable experience. Driving for BMW Team RLL in the ALMS is a big challenge for me, as I have never raced in North America. I am really looking forward to it. My career path shows how beneficial it is to have BMW watching you so closely and offering great support within the framework of the BMW Sports Trophy.”

BMW Team RLL will again be running BMW’s American Le Mans Series (ALMS) entries in 2013. The two car team will do battle with the best of North American GT class sports cars with the new BMW Z4 GTE starting with the season-opening 12 hours of Sebring on 16^th March.

“With the BMW Z4 GTE, we are starting a new chapter in North America alongside BMW Team RLL”, said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “We have celebrated magnificent victories and titles with the BMW M3 GT and BMW Team RLL over the past four years. The BMW Z4 GTE has everything it needs to continue this success story.”

“We are really looking forward to this new chapter for BMW racing in North America”, said Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO of BMW of North America. “After several championship wins for BMW Team RLL and the BMW M3 GT, we now entrust the same strong team to deliver more trophies with our new BMW Z4 GTE. We are absolutely convinced BMW fans will again see great ALMS GT class racing in 2013.”

The BMW Z4 GTE was developed for the ALMS regulations, based on the BMW Z4 GT3, which has celebrated multiple championship wins in Europe and Asia in the capable hands of professional and privateer BMW drivers. This year’s ten-race ALMS season will also be used as a development year for the new car in order to lay the best foundation for the all-new face of North American sports car racing in 2014.

“All of us at BMW Team RLL are very excited about the 2013 season with the new BMW Z4 GTE”, said Bobby Rahal, Team Principal. “We had four great years with the BMW M3 GT and now want to compete on a par with our rivals with the BMW Z4 GTE as soon as possible. With any new car there is going to be a period of development, but we are excited about the upcoming season. This will be our fifth year with BMW and it’s obvious we have a great working relationship. In fact, some of the members of the team are in Munich working side-by-side with BMW Motorsport building the cars. We share the same approach in terms of our desire to be successful and it’s a real honour and privilege to represent BMW in motorsport.”

This year, the BMW Team RLL driver line-up will feature a strong mix of experience and youth. Returning drivers Bill Auberlen, Joey Hand and Dirk Müller will anchor the effort. Due to his full-time commitment to BMW in the DTM series, for a second consecutive season, Hand will contest only some ALMS races in 2013. Twenty-one-year old New Yorker John Edwards will join the team, replacing Hand for the races that don’t fit into his DTM schedule. Beginning his career in open-wheel racing, Edwards won the Star Mazda title in 2008 and the Atlantic series championship in 2009. Since 2010 he has focused on GT and GS class racing in the GRAND-AM series.

The newest BMW Motorsport driver, Maxime Martin, will join BMW Team RLL for the full 2013 season. The 26-year old finished second in the 2012 BMW Sport Trophy after a strong season racing a BMW Z4 GT3 in the Blancpain Endurance Series and a BMW ALPINA B6 GT3 in the ADAC GT Masters. For the long-distance races at Sebring and the Petit Le Mans, Uwe Alzen and Jörg Müller will return to the team.

Long-time BMW employee Gordon McDonnell has been named the dedicated BMW NA Motorsport Manager, responsible for leading the programme from concept to the finish line. McDonnell’s diverse experience includes North American management of BMW Motorsport Parts, M Performance Parts, and BMW NA’s current GRAND-AM programmes. Given the merger between ALMS and GRAND-AM, McDonnell is well-positioned to maximize BMW’s racing successes in the USA.

BMW teams celebrated a total of four class wins in this year’s Dubai 24-hour race. The two Saudi Falcon Team Schubert BMW Z4 GT3s proved their speed, ultimately the fighting spirit of the crew and its drivers wasn’t rewarded.

The two cars run by Schubert Motorsport, the 2011 winners of the Dubai 24 Hours, had started from fourth and fifth on the grid respectively. While the number 12 BMW Z4 GT3, driven by Dirk Adorf, Dominik Schwager, Dominik Baumann, Abdulaziz AlFaisal and Faisal Binladen was forced to retire early after being hit by another car, the number 24 sister car battled it out at the top of the field for countless laps. However, with just a few hours to go, Claudia Hürtgen, Jörg Müller, Dirk Müller, Abdulaziz AlFaisal and Faisal Binladen also had to retire while running in second.

“The team did an amazing job – and I really felt at home from the word go,” commented Dirk Müller, who contested his maiden Dubai 24-hour race. “We were running really well and were even leading. But then lady luck left us, it just shouldn’t have been.”
 
Nevertheless, other BMW drivers had every reason to be happy with the outcome of the first highlight of the 2013 season. A total of four class wins were achieved by BMW teams. The best-placed BMW in the overall classification was JR Motorsport’s #63 BMW M3 GTR, finishing 18th.

Saudi Falcons Team Schubert will start Friday’s 24-hour race in Dubai from fourth and fifth, and is ready for the showdown in the desert.

In an exciting qualifying, Abdulaziz AlFaisal clocked a time of 1:59.711 minutes at the wheel of the number 24 BMW Z4 GT3 – just eight hundredths of a second slower than the time that secured pole position. The desert classic gets underway at 14:00 local time tomorrow. AlFaisal will share the cockpit with Claudia Hürtgen, Jörg Müller, Dirk Müller and Faisal Binladen.

The second BMW Z4 GT3 – also run by Saudi Falcons Team Schubert and bearing the start number 12 – qualified in fifth. Alongside AlFaisal and Binladen, who will drive both cars, Dirk Adorf, Dominik Baumann and Dominik Schwager will alternate behind the wheel of this car.

Schubert Motorsport is making its seventh appearance at the “Dubai Autodrome”. In 2011 the team from Oschersleben won the 24-hour race to claim the first victory in the desert for the BMW Z4 GT3. This year, the team is once again spearheading the strong BMW contingent, which consists of 17 teams in the A6 class for GT3 cars.

Schedule:

Friday, 11^th January 2013

10.30 a.m. – 11 a.m. Warm-up

2 p.m. Start of 24-hour race

Saturday, 12^th January 2013

2 p.m. End of 24-hour race

2.15 p.m. Presentation ceremony (all classes).

The endurance season once again opens with the 24H Dubai in 2013. Fans of the marathon race can look forward to a strong showing of BMW Power this weekend, with 17 teams lining up.

In 2011, Schubert Motorsport won the 24 Hours of Dubai to claim the first victory for the BMW Z4 GT3 in the desert. This year, the team from Oschersleben is making its seventh appearance at the “Dubai Autodrome” – and once again spearheads the strong BMW contingent in the A6 class for GT3 cars. The team will run two BMW Z4 GT3s, under the name Saudi Falcons Team Schubert.

Dirk Adorf, Dominik Baumann, Dominik Schwager, Abdulaziz AIFaisal and Faisal Binladen will alternate at the wheel of the number 12 BMW Z4 GT3. “Different corner radii make Dubai Autodrome’s grand prix layout extremely challenging, and finding the right rhythm is not easy – more so due to the large number of cars on-track,” said Adorf.

The two drivers from the United Arab Emirates, Abdulaziz AIFaisal and Faisal Binladen, will also be in action in the second BMW Z4 GT3. They will share the number 24 car with drivers Claudia Hürtgen, Jörg Müller and Dirk Müller. “I am looking forward to racing so early in the year,” said Jörg Müller. “We are best-prepared. Schubert Motorsport has assembled a good package. We are targeting a podium place even if everything needs to come together to achieve it – technically and driver-wise.”

The desert classic kicks off with the first free practice at 11:30 local time on Thursday. The qualifying sessions are then scheduled to start at 3 p.m. The 24-hour race itself gets underway at 2 p.m. on Friday.

Schedule:

Thursday, 10^th January 2013

11.30 a.m. – 12.15 p.m. 1^st free practice

1.15 p.m. – 2.45 p.m. 2^nd free practice

3 p.m. – 4 p.m. Qualifying 1 (all classes)

4.15 p.m. – 4.45 p.m. Qualifying 2 (classes A1 to A5, D1, D2, A3T, SP3-GT4A)

5 p.m. – 5.30 p.m. Qualifying 3 (class A6, SP2-GT3A, 997)

6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Night practice

Friday, 11^th January 2013

10.30 a.m. – 11 a.m. Warm-up

2 p.m. Start of 24-hour race

Saturday, 12^th January 2013

2 p.m. End of 24-hour race

2.15 p.m. Presentation ceremony (all classes).

Even before the first race of the 2013 season, BMW Motorsport has set a new record...

since Friday, the official page on the Facebook social network has had more than 200,000 fans, all of whom are looking for the latest news, photos and videos regarding BMW’s motor racing activities. The number of Facebook fans has more than doubled in the last 12 months.

Every day the Facebook page provides information on the latest developments from the world of BMW Motorsport. Whether a race day or a rest day, fans visiting www.facebook.com/BMWMotorsport receive an exclusive glimpse behind the scenes of the DTM, American Le Mans Series (ALMS) and many other series around the world. BMW Motorsport also transports its fan community into the heart of the action with promotions such as its “DTM Prediction Game” and the “Fan Reporter”.

“I am thrilled that so many fans share our passion for motor racing,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “This direct contact with our fans on Facebook allows us to experience their support for our motorsport projects at close hand. The fact that we have doubled our number of fans on this social network to over 200,000 within a year shows just how captivating people all over the world find the activities of BMW Motorsport. As well as our large fan base in Germany, we also gained a lot of new supporters in the USA and Asia last year. I am particularly pleased with how willing our Facebook users are to comment on posts, and to contribute to polls and debates. Our fans can identify 100 per cent with BMW Motorsport. They support us wholeheartedly.”

BMW Motorsport provides a wide variety of offerings on the Internet. The central platform is the official BMW Motorsport website, which features news regarding the DTM, ALMS, BMW Sports Trophy and the Formula BMW Talent Cup, as well as a wealth of background information on cars, drivers and teams. 

Fans can also find the latest videos on the BMW Motorsport YouTube channel. Last year’s biggest hit was the clip “A hell of a ride: Liri Farfus gets a taste of the Nordschleife”, in which BMW DTM driver Augusto Farfus took his wife Liri for a spin on the legendary Nürburgring-Nordschleife at the wheel of a BMW M3. To date, this video has been watched by more than 1.5 million users. BMW Motorsport is also represented on Twitter and currently has more than 80,000 followers.

21^st October 2012, Hockenheim, Germany. Bruno Spengler wins the dramatic final race of the season and is subsequently crowned DTM champion. BMW Team Schnitzer wins the team competition, while the manufacturer’s title also goes to BMW, completing a sensational return to the DTM.

A magnificent fightback in the second half of the season culminates in something that even the wildest optimist at BMW Motorsport had not reckoned with. Bruno Spengler arrives at the final race in Hockenheim just three points behind Gary Paffett in the Drivers’ Championship and with a realistic chance of winning the title. To maintain this chance, a good grid position is essential. And Spengler achieves that on Saturday, qualifying third behind pole-sitter Augusto Farfus of BMW Team RBM and fellow title contender Paffett. It is all set up for a dramatic race on the Sunday. “We are in for a real showdown now,” said Spengler. “It does not get any better than this for the fans.”

You could cut the tension with a knife as the cars line up on the grid. The lights go out and Spengler gets off to an excellent start, passing Paffett on the first metres and settling in behind Farfus in second place. When Spengler moves into the lead on the opening lap, he has his nose in front for the first time in the 2012 title race.

However, Paffett refuses to give in. He passes Farfus in a tough but fair duel in the pit lane following the first stop, and then sets about hunting down Spengler. The winner will be crowned champion. Paffett consistently makes up ground until he is within a second of Spengler. Under extreme pressure, however, the Canadian holds his nerve to secure his first DTM title. All that remains is unadulterated joy. And the celebrations just keep on growing as Dirk Werner’s fifth place ensures BMW Team Schnitzer wins the team competition. Points courtesy of third place for Farfus, seventh for Andy Priaulx and eighth for Joey Hand are also enough to give BMW victory in the Manufacturers’ Championship. Three titles in the comeback season: “We have made motorsport history,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt.

21^st October 2012, Monza, Italy. Thomas Biagi and team-mate Stefano Colombo clinch the title in the Italian GT Championship in a thrilling finale. Despite a fire in the final race, the duo ends the season one point clear.

With four wins to their name, Biagi and Colombo lead the series going into the final race in Monza. However, Audi driver Andrea Sonvico is just two points behind the drivers from BMW Team ROAL Motorsport. As such, it is important to pick up as many points as possible, in order to secure the title.

However, a fire caused by leaking oil soon puts paid to this plan early in the race and puts Biagi and Colombo’s position at the top of the championship in peril. When Sonvico can only manage one point in tenth place, however, the celebrations begin for Team Principal Roberto Ravaglia and his drivers. They emerge triumphant from the dramatic finale in the race for the Italian GT Championship title.

At the end of the year, Biagi is rewarded for his efforts with first place in the BMW Sports Trophy and will now complete a drive in the BMW M3 DTM in 2013. “Ever since I started preparing for last season, I dreamed of driving this BMW M3 DTM,” said Biagi. “I cannot believe that the dream is now coming true.”

21^st October 2012, Suzuka, Japan. Stefano D’Aste becomes the only BMW driver to win two WTCC races in the 2012 season. He dominates the second race in Suzuka at the wheel of his BMW 320 TC. His first win, at the Salzburgring, is somewhat more bizarre.

Stefano D’Aste is yet to win a WTCC race as he goes into the 2012 season in his BMW 320 TC. That is all about to change, however. By 21^st October he is the only BMW driver to win two races this season. In Suzuka, the Italian from Team Wiechers-Sport benefits from finishing eighth in race one, thus putting him on pole for the second race. He gets off to a flying start and, despite being under permanent pressure from Pepe Oriola, leads from start to finish to claim his second win. “That was a really tough 26 laps,” said D’Aste.

Compared to his very first victory in a WTCC race at the Salzburgring, however, the success in Suzuka is relatively uneventful. On 20^th May, the Italian finds himself behind an armada of Chevrolets in race two, making even a podium finish highly unlikely. However, with five laps of the race remaining, the Chevrolets suffer a mysterious run of punctures. First it is Alain Menu’s front-left tyre, then Alex MacDowall's. On the final lap, Yvan Muller and Robert Huff are victims of the same misfortune. D’Aste can hardly believe his luck and, to the surprise of everyone, including himself, crosses the finish line in first. D’Aste ends the season in third place in the Independents’ Trophy and tenth in the BMW Sports Trophy.

30th September 2012, Valencia, Spain. Augusto Farfus becomes the first Brazilian ever to win a DTM race and ensures he is crowned best rookie of the 2012 DTM season with a race to spare. He and BMW Team RBM are on the top step of the podium in just their ninth DTM race.

Record-breaking learning curve. That is what Augusto Farfus produced in his maiden DTM season. He started from the front row of the grid for the first time in just his second race, and promptly went on to finish on the podium. He follows this with his masterstroke in the ninth race in Valencia. Farfus dominates Saturday’s qualifying. With a time of 1:26.446 minutes he is more than three tenths of a second faster than Edoardo Mortara in second place. In the DTM, in which thousandths of a second usually make all the difference, this feels like an eternity. Farfus’s brilliant performance makes him the first Brazilian to start a DTM race from pole. “I am speechless,” said Farfus.

But there is better to come. He makes a fantastic start in Sunday’s race and soon pulls away from the rest of the field. Farfus dominates the race in the Castrol EDGE BMW M3 DTM and crosses the line in first place with a lead of over eight seconds. A first for him and BMW Team RBM in the DTM. And another entry in the history books, as Farfus is now also the first Brazilian to win a DTM race. “The final lap was very emotional,” said Farfus. “I have to admit that I had tears in my eyes as I crossed the line, and nearly started crying.”

29th September 2012, Lime Rock Park, USA. Chip Ganassi Racing remains virtually unbeatable in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series. Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas claim the team’s fourth title in five years at the wheel of their BMW Riley.

Sometimes even seventh place is sufficient to emerge as the big winner of a race. That is the case for Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas at the GRAND-AM Championship Weekend by BMW in Lime Rock Park. The two Team Chip Ganassi Racing drivers finish seventh in their Riley, powered by a BMW engine, to claim their third title in a row and fourth in five years. This is the sixth title in the Daytona Prototype class for US racing legend Chip Ganassi.

“Racing and winning never gets boring,” said Pruett upon winning his fifth title. Chip Ganassi’s team comes away from the 2012 season with just two wins, in Road America and Montreal, but the key to their latest triumph is ultimately the consistency that produces eight podium finishes.

Despite a difficult final round, Pruett and Rojas end the season twelve points ahead of the Starworks Motorsport team, which finishes sixth at Lime Rock Park. “That was unbelievably tough,” said Pruett. “We had to use all this team’s experience throughout the entire season. Victory could not be sweeter.”

19th August 2012, Road America, USA. For the third time in four starts, BMW Team RLL wins the GT class at the ALMS race in Road America. Bill Auberlen and Jörg Müller crown the weekend with a stunning fightback.

The BMW M3 GT is two seconds slower in practice than its rivals from Chevrolet and Porsche. BMW Team RLL seems destined not to be able to keep pace with the opposition at the seventh round of the ALMS. Overnight, however, engineers Jay O’Connell, Bruno Couprie and Chris Yancher find exactly the right set-up to give the drivers a chance of mixing it with the front-runners.

Despite the engineer’s best efforts, a win does not initially look on the cards. Just one third of the way into the race, Bill Auberlen is forced to come into the pits because a rear wheel was not attached properly during a tyre change. He returns to the race in eleventh place, but fights his way back up to fourth within just 17 laps.

By the time the final yellow-flag phase comes to an end with 38 minutes of the four-hour race remaining, Auberlen leads the GT class and, despite being put under immense pressure by his pursuers, flat refuses to surrender his position. Dirk Müller and Jonathan Summerton are well on track to complete a one-two for BMW Team RLL, but are forced to retire following a collision just two laps before the end. “These guys are fantastic,” said Auberlen. “It’s been a while since we were on top of the podium and we all deserve it. We were two seconds off the pace in practice and I knew the team would figure it out.“

DTM champion and Ryder Cup winner put their skills to the test on unusual territory at over 2,000 metres above sea level.

They both have career-defining moments behind them: Bruno Spengler won the driver, team and manufacturer titles in the DTM with BMW Motorsport, fighting back to overcome what was at one point a 40-point deficit to do so. Martin Kaymer was also one of the key figures in a mighty comeback: at this year’s Ryder Cup at the Medinah Country Club, Team European recovered from four points down going into the singles to defeat the USA team and equal the biggest comeback of all time in the process. BMW Brand Ambassador Kaymer sank the putt that ensured the Ryder Cup would return to Europe – a putt he himself described as the most important shot of his life. Both Spengler and Kaymer showed they have the heart of a fight and that nothing knocks them out of their stride. They are true winners.

BMW works driver Spengler and Major-winner Kaymer provided emphatic proof of their character in Kühtai in the Austrian Tyrol at the end of December. The BMW xDrive Mountain Challenge saw the Canadian and the German go head to head on winding mountain roads and in a golf match on the 2,447-metre high Pirchkogel. It all came down to a somewhat alien discipline for both of them: sledging – and in extremely challenging winter conditions, with icy temperatures of minus 15 degrees Celsius.

In the driving duel on ice and snow-covered roads, the two protagonists could depend on the four-wheel drive expertise of their two vehicles: the BMW M550d xDrive and BMW 6 Series Coupé xDrive.

The two successful sportsmen were on their own when it came to the rather peculiar golf match, however. The first tee took them to new heights: Kaymer and Spengler teed up in a cable car and drove their opening shots through the open door into the snowy nothingness. Not a shot for those with weak nerves, but tailor-made for the two comeback champions.

The pair ended the challenge by hurtling back down into the valley on sledges. Having negotiated heavy snow drifts, they both crossed the finish line neck and neck, giving a spectacular day the thrilling finale it deserved.

“Martin was a tough opponent, but that much was already clear before we started I am an enthusiastic golfer myself, and obviously followed the action at the Ryder Cup closely as he sank that putt under such immense pressure,” said Spengler. “He showed nerves of steel again today. It was great to compete against Martin in the BMW xDrive Mountain Challenge and to overcome all these challenges.”

Kaymer said: “Today I learned exactly why Bruno Spengler won the DTM. He is simply impossible to shake off and fights right down to the last second. The duel with him was tougher than a lot of what I usually experience on the golf course. This kind of competition between sportsmen is great fun. It was a fantastic day.”

18th May 2012, Nürburgring, Germany. In qualifying for the Nürburgring 24 Hours, Uwe Alzen – at the wheel of a BMW Z4 GT3 – sets the fastest lap ever recorded on the longer variant of the iconic track, which consists of the Nordschleife and Grand Prix Circuit.

Just once to take on the Nordschleife without constantly having to avoid slower cars. The dream of every GT racing driver became a reality for the first time at this year’s 24-hour race, courtesy of the new Top-40 qualifying format. For the first time, the 40 fastest cars are sent out onto the track one-by-one, allowing them to push themselves to the limit on the racing line without any hindrances as they strive for the fastest lap.

Among them is BMW Team Schubert’s Uwe Alzen in a BMW Z4 GT3. “The Top-40 qualifying is a good idea. It makes everything more exciting,” said Alzen. “It allows the spectators to see just how quick the cars can be in clean air, when they are pushed to their limit and not held up by slower cars. I really enjoyed myself.”

Understandably so, as Alzen sets a time of 8:18.382 minutes on the longer 25.378-kilometre variant of the Nordschleife – the fastest lap ever clocked by a GT car. He goes 1.318 seconds faster than the second-placed Audi to brilliantly land the BMW Z4 GT3 on pole position. “I didn’t have any traffic on the track and was able to focus fully on driving. You don’t get that sort of opportunity very often on the Nordschleife,” said Alzen.

During the race, the two BMW Z4 GT3s belonging to BMW Team Schubert once again demonstrate their speed, setting the fastest race lap. However, a technical fault robs Alzen and team-mates Dirk and Jörg Müller of any chance of victory. In the end they must settle for seventh place, crossing the line just ahead of the second BMW Z4 GT3 in eighth.

6^th May 2012, Hungaroring, Hungary. Privateer Norbert Michelisz pulls off a real sensation as he wins a round of the WTCC in his BMW 320 TC – and at his home event in Hungary to boot.

Endless applause and chants of “Norbi” ring around the Hungaroring as Norbert Michelisz completes his lap of honour after claiming a remarkable victory in the FIA World Touring Car Championship. The Hungarian privateer chooses his home event to leave the massed ranks of Chevrolet works drivers behind him at the wheel of his BMW 320 TC.

Michelisz starts the second race of the weekend from fifth on the grid. He has four rivals ahead of him and the Chevrolet works drivers in his rear-view mirror. However, he gets off to a sensational start and leads by the first corner. He then takes advantage of the fact that the Chevrolet drivers must fight their way through the field and pulls away at the front. By the time Alain Menu finally moves into second place and sets about hunting down Michelisz it is too little too late. Cheered all the way by his compatriots in the crowd, the Hungarian clinches the first WTCC win of the season for the BMW 320 TC.

This is Michelisz’s second race win after Macau 2010. At the end of the season, the Hungarian secures the title in the Independents’ Trophy and finishes third in the 2012 BMW Sports Trophy.

6^th May 2012, Lausitzring, Germany. It takes just two races for BMW Motorsport to surpass all the goals it had set itself ahead of the comeback season in the DTM. Bruno Spengler wins race number two from pole position, making one thing very clear in doing so: BMW is competing on a par with Mercedes and Audi.

19 years, six months and 25 days have passed since a BMW driver last climbed onto the top step of a DTM podium. It was Roberto Ravaglia, at the final race of the 1992 season in Hockenheim, who brought the previous era of BMW Motorsport works teams in the DTM to a close with two wins.

And so it remains until that weekend in May 2012, when Bruno Spengler unleashes the power of his BMW Bank M3 DTM to herald the new era of BMW Motorsport in the DTM with a bang. On Saturday he is involved in a tight tussle with Augusto Farfus of BMW Team RBM for pole position. In the end, Spengler’s time of 1:18.777 minutes is just 38 thousandths of a second faster than the Brazilian – it is an all-BMW front row of the grid.

“I never expected us to be on pole position at only our second race of our debut season,” said Spengler. “It is great to have my fellow BMW driver Augusto Farfus next to me on the front row tomorrow. That rounds off a dream qualifying result for us.”

The dream continues on Sunday. Spengler makes the best start and then produces a thrilling duel with Mercedes driver Gary Paffett, who overtakes Farfus on the opening lap. Spengler keeps his nerve to finish just 1.019 seconds ahead of Paffett. It is BMW’s 50^th win in the DTM and déjà vu for BMW Team Schnitzer. Almost 20 years ago it was Team Principal Charly Lamm’s outfit that celebrated Ravaglia’s win. The team is now delighted to see Spengler add a new chapter to the story. Farfus comes home in third to ensure that two BMW drivers are on the podium after just the second race of the manufacturer’s comeback.

This year’s Race of Champions was ill-fated for BMW DTM-Pilot Andy Priaulx.

On Saturday, Priaulx and his Team Great Britain team-mate David Coulthard narrowly missed out on progressing to the knock-out phase in the Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium.

Priaulx was also out of luck in Sunday’s individual competition. After defeating Ho-Pin Tung, he went up against Tom Kristensen in the final race of the preliminary round for a place in the quarter-finals. However, the accelerator pedal on Priaulx’s car stuck as he braked into the first corner of the narrow stadium circuit. There was nothing the three-time World Touring Car Champion could do to prevent the ensuing crash.

“I know that these things happen in motorsport,” said Priaulx. “I had fun as always, however, and will be back again next year to try again.” Priaulx was making his seventh appearance at the Race of Champions and had previously reached the final of the Nations Cup twice and the semi-final of the individual competition on three occasions.

In 2012, victory in the Nations Cup went to Team Germany, with Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher, for the sixth time in a row. The individual competition was won by Formula One driver Romain Grosjean, who defeated Kristensen in the final.

Andy Priaulx is about to make his seventh appearance at the Race of Champions. This weekend he will go head to head with some of the best racing drivers in the world in Bangkok. First up is Tom Kristensen in the qualifying round.

Nations Cup on Saturday, individual races on Sunday: BMW DTM driver Andy Priaulx is planning on a double dose of celebrations in Bangkok this weekend. Having reached the final and semi-final on several occasions, Priaulx is hungry to finally get his hands on a Race of Champions title at the seventh attempt.

“I can’t wait to finally get started,” said Priaulx. “It is always great fun racing against guys like Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher.”

In Saturday’s Nations Cup, Priaulx will race alongside David Coulthard in Team Great Britain. The duo, who raced against each other in the 2012 DTM, face Team France, Team Americas and Team All Stars in the opening round. In Sunday’s individual competition, Priaulx’s first opponents in qualifying group B will be Le Mans legend Tom Kristensen and two Asian qualifiers, whose starting places will be determined in a race-off ahead of the actual Race of Champions.

The complete draw for the round-robin rounds:

21^st April 2012, Zolder, Belgium. Vita4One Racing wins its first race in the FIA GT1 World Championship just two race weekends into its cooperation with BMW Motorsport.

Michael Bartels does not need long to get used to working together with BMW Motorsport. The Team Principal and driver in the Vita4One Racing team has been running the BMW Z4 GT3 in the FIA GT1 World Championship since the start of the 2012 season. After encountering one or two teething problems on the opening weekend in Nogaro, France, Bartels hits the front in Zolder at the end of April. Together with team-mate Yelmer Buurman, he is involved in a close duel with Mercedes pair Thomas Jäger and Nicky Pastorelli over the 36 laps of the qualifying race.

In difficult weather conditions and on a drying track, Bartels and Buurman fight tooth and nail to defend first place, coming home just 0.5 seconds ahead of their rivals. It is the first victory for the Vita4One Racing team in the FIA GT1 World Championship after a one year absence from the series and the switch to BMW. “That is a good win,” said Bartels. “Particularly for the team, which has worked very hard and frequently toiled into the night since the opening race in Nogaro.” The team’s efforts are rewarded on a further three occasions over the course of the season. Bartels and Buurman shine at the two outings in the FIA GT1 World Championship at the Slovakia Ring, winning the qualifying race and triumphing twice in the two longer championship races, for which more points are awarded. Bartels and Buurman ultimately miss out on the title in the Drivers’ Championship by just one point.Vita4One Racing is fourth in the team competition.

18th March 2012, Sebring, USA. BMW Team RLL repeats last year’s victory at the classic 12 Hours of Sebring. Joey Hand, Dirk Müller and Jonathan Summerton are unbeatable at the wheel of the number 56 BMW M3 GT.

It marks the return of Joey Hand and Dirk Müller to the circuit, at which they triumphed in 2011 and laid the foundation for the subsequent hat-trick of titles in the GT driver, team and manufacturer competitions in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). Jonathan Summerton, on the other hand, is making his debut in the BMW M3 GT. The season gets off to a good start in the first qualifying of the new season, with Hand putting car number 56 in third place on the grid. The second car, with Bill Auberlen, Jörg Müller and Jonathan Summerton at the wheel, starts from sixth place.

The race develops into a battle between both BMW Team RLL cars, the two Corvettes and the number 71 Ferrari. Numerous yellow-flag phases ensure that the five cars are always closely bunched together. Hand takes over in the cockpit of the number 56 BMW M3 GT and sets off on a seemingly endless final stint, which he ends at the head of the race.

“My knee was hurting from all the braking, and my tyres hardly had any grip left,” said Hand, describing the closing stages. Despite this, he holds onto the lead until a collision with a slower car almost sees victory slip from his hands on the final lap. Thankfully he is able to coax the damaged car over the finish line in first place.

BMW M GmbH celebrates Bruno Spengler's win of the DTM championship by designing a special Champion Edition of the BMW M3. The "black beast" is now entering the road.

BMW Motorsport returned to the DTM in 2012 after almost 20 years away, and the results in its comeback year exceeded all expectations. Canadian driver Bruno Spengler won the drivers’ title, BMW Team Schnitzer finished in top spot in the team standings, and BMW claimed the manufacturers’ honours.

BMW M GmbH is celebrating this success with the unveiling of the BMW M3 DTM Champion Edition. Mimicking the looks of Spengler’s racing car, this special-edition model is available exclusively in Frozen Black metallic, while the carbon flaps and gurney, various dark chrome elements, matt black wheels and sections of the race car’s livery also betray its close links with the triumphant BMW M3 DTM. The theme is continued by the BMW M stripe design over the CFRP roof and boot lid, BMW M logo to the rear of the front wheel arches and decals in the rear side windows.

Inside the car, the door sill strips replicate Spengler’s helmet design and the carbon-fibre interior trim strip bears the newly crowned champion’s signature and the car’s serial number. The special-edition model also contains various exclusive interior additions, such as the Alcantara® steering wheel, handbrake lever embroidered with “M Power” lettering, and extended black Novillo leather trim with features in contrasting Palladium Silver.

BMW M is also offering the 54 new custodians of the BMW M3 DTM Champion Edition – which will be available in various international markets – a very special extra. Owners of this automotive rarity will have the chance to attend the BMW M Fascination Nordschleife driver training course under the watchful eye of Bruno Spengler. One of the most coveted elements of the BMW Driving Experience programme, the course is held on the Nürburgring’s legendary Nordschleife track, where BMW M cars are put through extremely exacting testing sessions and final chassis tuning is carried out.

The BMW M3 DTM Champion Edition will be built at BMW’s Regensburg plant and the BMW M GmbH factory from February 2013. Prices in Germany start from €99,000.00 including VAT.

Andy Priaulx  has ambitious goals going into his second season in the DTM. The three-time World Touring Car Champion is not content to play a supporting role – he has set his sights on the big time.

When Andy Priaulx joined the other BMW DTM drivers on the stage at BMW’s end-of-season party on Saturday, he allowed himself briefly to cast his mind back over the past season. But only briefly. Priaulx is not one to dwell on the past. His focus has been on the 2013 DTM season since well before Saturday.

"It was great last year driving in a completely different series and I can't wait to go into year two, as I know I shall be able to make use of all I learnt this year", said Priaulx.

He made a very good start to the 2012 season, finishing sixth at BMW’s comeback in Hockenheim and claiming the manufacturer’s first points. Over the remainder of the season, however, he struggled in qualifying and had no luck in the races. As such, the Brit had to settle for 13th place in the Drivers’ Championship.

"I was always aware the DTM would have its challenges", said Priaulx - however: "That was 2012 and now the focus is 2013. Preparation is already underway for defending all three titles and I aim to play an important part in that."

BMW Motorsport celebrates magnificent 2012 and presents plans for the 2013 season. Marco Wittmann joins DTM driver line-up.

BMW Motorsport celebrated the sensationally successful 2012 season with a glittering party in the hangar of the BMW Driving Academy in Maisach, during which it also presented its plans for the coming year. Under the slogan “Magic Moments”, the 300 guests from all areas of motorsport took another look back at BMW’s return to the DTM, which culminated in a hat-trick of titles, the many successes in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) and the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series in North America, and other racing series around the world, and the 2012 Formula BMW Talent Cup.

“We really have a sensational season behind us,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “In the DTM we went head to head against our competitors in the premium segment, and emerged triumphant. Furthermore, BMW drivers won races and titles in a whole host of different championships, emphatically demonstrating the sportiness and performance of our cars in the process. It all just goes to show that BMW and motorsport belong together.”

Thoughts also turned to the future, however. Marquardt used the celebrations to announce further details of BMW Motorsport’s programme for the 2013 season. BMW will line up with eight cars instead of six in next season’s DTM. New to the outfit is BMW Team MTEK with Team Principal Ernest Knoors. BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW Team RBM and BMW Team RMG will also represent the brand again. The six successful DTM drivers – champion Bruno Spengler, Augusto Farfus, Joey Hand, Andy Priaulx, Martin Tomczyk and Dirk Werner – also return in 2013. “All six of our drivers produced very good performances last season and contributed to BMW Motorsport winning the Manufacturers’ Championship,” said Marquardt. “For that reason, it is a logical step to put our faith in our sextet again in 2013.”

Marquardt also announced that current BMW Motorsport test and development driver Marco Wittmann would join the ranks as the seventh driver. “Marco spent the 2012 season preparing intensively for this opportunity,” he said. “He was a permanent part of the team throughout the entire year and was present in every meeting. He knows the processes just as well as the other drivers. Furthermore, his tests in the BMW M3 DTM showed he is more than capable of coping with the DTM. As such, he fully deserves a DTM seat in 2013.” The driver to occupy the cockpit in the eighth DTM next season will be announced at a later date.

The same goes for the BMW driver line-up in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). BMW will again compete in this series next year. However, they will no longer be using the BMW M3 GT. Instead, BMW Motorsport and BMW of North America will turn to the new GTE version of the BMW Z4 GT3. “This change in model shows that we are focussing fully on the BMW Z4 as an all-encompassing GT car,” said Marquardt. “The BMW Z4 GT3 has been very successful on the GT3 scene in recent years, and has proven its ability to win races. I am confident this car will also play a major role as a GTE car in the ALMS.” The BMW M3 GT has been in action in the ALMS since 2009. It was with this car that BMW and BMW Team RLL won the team and manufacturer titles in the GT class in 2010, and then completed the hat-trick – driver, team and manufacturer titles – in 2011. In total, the car won seven races in four seasons.

The BMW Z4 GT3 also proved to be a successful model last season. BMW Sports Trophy winner Biagi and Stefano Colombo won the Italian GT Championship for BMW Team Italia. BMW drivers also celebrated victories in many other national championships at the wheel of the most prominent member of the product range at BMW Motorsport Distribution. BMW privateers were equally successful in hard-fought international series held in accordance with GT3 regulations: in the FIA GT1 World Championship, the Vita4One Racing team won four races and took the title race right down to the wire. The Marc VDS Racing team narrowly missed out on the title after a dramatic season finale in the Blancpain Endurance Series. BMW Motorsport will line up with the BMW Z4 GT3 again in all these series in 2013. The same applies for the 24-hour classics at the Nürburgring, Spa-Francorchamps and in Dubai. In the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), the privateers will continue to put their faith in the BMW 320 TC, with which Norbert Michelisz won the Independents' Trophy in 2012. “There are no better ambassadors for the BMW brand than all the racing drivers who do battle for victories at the wheel of a whole host of BMW cars in a wide range of series,” said Marquardt. “Providing privateer teams and drivers with competitive cars and seeing them at the front of the field is in BMW Motorsport’s DNA.”

The next round of BMW’s promotion of junior drivers will continue with the Formula BMW Talent Cup. Marvin Dienst was crowned as the most successful driver on the junior programme in 2012 and is now enjoying financial support from BMW as he takes the next step in his career. Next season, aspiring young drivers will once again attempt to follow in the footsteps of famous Formula BMW graduates like Sebastian Vettel, Nico Rosberg and Nico Hülkenberg. “The promotion of junior drivers has always been an important component of BMW’s motorsport programme,” said Marquardt. “The Formula BMW Talent Cup has continued in this tradition since 2011. It allows talented youngsters, having started out in karting, to take the next step and uses a well-thought-out training programme to guide them towards a career in motor racing. The last two seasons have shown this concept is bearing fruit.”

This year’s trophy for the most successful BMW privateer goes to Italy: BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt and Alessandro Zanardi presented Thomas Biagi with the winner’s cheque for 30,000 Euros at the 51^st BMW Sports Trophy Award Ceremony.

Biagi can also look forward to a drive in the BMW M3 DTM – which was the special reward for the winner of the 2012 BMW Sports Trophy.

Biagi’s success came courtesy of overall victory in the Italian GT Championship at the wheel of a BMW Z4 GT3 run by BMW Team Italia, as well as third place in the International Superstars Series in a BMW M3, again representing ROAL Motorsport. Biagi claimed four race wins and 14 podiums in the two series.

“Congratulations to Thomas Biagi,” said Marquardt. “Together with his team-mates he really made his mark on the 2012 Italian GT Championship. Over the course of last season we once again witnessed countless magnificent performances from BMW drivers in high-class racing series. The fact that Biagi has come through to win the BMW Sports Trophy against such strong opposition underlines just how consistent he has been this year. He can now look forward to a drive in the BMW M3 DTM.”

Biagi, who won the BMW Sports Trophy with a score of 434.23 points, said after the Award Ceremony: “First place in the BMW Sports Trophy is a huge honour for me. I had been invited to the ceremony for the top 25 BMW privateers for the last two years. I would like to thank the fantastic team at ROAL Motorsport for enabling me to win it at the third attempt. We had an amazing year. I am proud to be a part of the BMW family. I will soon be even prouder when I get behind the wheel of the BMW M3 DTM. That is the stuff of dreams for any BMW driver.”

The 51^st BMW Sports Trophy saw a total of 243 participants – more than ever before in the long history of this competition – do battle for a share of the 250,000 Euros prize money. Marquardt said: “Even after over half a century, the BMW Sports Trophy still remains extremely attractive to drivers all over the world. This year we had 243 entrants from 24 countries on four continents. They represented BMW in 47 racing series around the world. Every driver who enters the BMW Sports Trophy is part of the BMW Motorsport family. Our privateers are fantastic ambassadors for the BMW brand.”

Second place behind Biagi, and a cheque for 25,000 Euros, went to Maxime Martin. Among the 26-year-old’s achievements were second place overall in the Blancpain Endurance Series with the BMW Z4 GT3. He narrowly missed out on winning the DTM test by just 25 points in the BMW Sports Trophy. However, Martin had already completed a test at the wheel of the BMW M3 DTM just a few weeks ago. Third place, and 21,000 Euros in prize money, went to Norbert Michelisz with his BMW 320 TC. He won the Independents' Trophy in the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC). He also claimed one of three BMW race wins in the 2012 WTCC at his home event in Budapest.

As well as the prospect of winning a healthy amount of prize money at the end of the year, participation in the BMW Sports Trophy also comes with many other advantages. Particularly attractive are the many cooperations that BMW Motorsport enjoys with selected companies within its Customer Racing programme.

Result of the 2012 BMW Sports Trophy.

Marco Wittmann has a very informative year behind him as BMW Motorsport’s test and development driver in the DTM. The new challenges and test drives in the BMW M3 DTM have helped the young German to mature as a driver.

Marco Wittmann celebrated his 23rd birthday on Saturday, and the last year was undoubtedly one of his most exciting so far. As test and development driver, he was given the opportunity to play an active role in BMW Motorsport’s sensational return to the DTM. Wittmann was present at all the races and took part in the technical meetings. He also got to know the BMW M3 DTM at a number of test drives. Outside of the DTM, he was also in action in the BMW Z4 GT3. At the Nürburgring, he lined up behind the wheel of this car at the first 24-hour race of his life.

“I learned a lot,” said Wittmann. “I have matured this year. I may have done less actual driving than in recent years, but I was heavily involved in technical proceedings. That has significantly improved my technical understanding of the car. Being present in meetings was enormously important, as I was able to soak up a lot of background information there. I am very proud that BMW Motorsport gave me the chance to be test and development driver this year. The test drives in the DTM car were obviously the highlights for me.”

Wittmann also learned a lot from being in close contact with the six BMW DTM drivers. “The atmosphere among the drivers was extremely good. Everyone was always willing to give you an honest answer,” he said.

At the Circuit Ricardo Tormo near Valancia, which was exclusively booked by BMW, the 16-year-old driver from Hamburg defeated a field of eight further contenders from five different countries.

The win secured Stüger a scholarship worth 35,700 Euros (incl. 19% German VAT), which goes towards the cost of participating in the 2013 Formula BMW Talent Cup season. Second and third place went to Larry ten Voorde and Michael Waldherr respectively.

The scholarship shoot-out at the former Formula 1 circuit was this year’s tenth try-out session for prospective participants in the 2013 Formula BMW Talent Cup which aims to comprehensively and sustainably prepare talented drivers for a career in professional motorsport. The entry list for the 2013 Formula BMW Talent Cup season is starting to take shape, with further try-outs planned before the start of the 2013 season. Comprehensive information will shortly be made available.

The 2013 Formula BMW Talent Cup curriculum, during which participants will receive comprehensive development in a variety of practical and theoretical elements in order to prepare them for the “Grand Final” in autumn 2013, will commence in early next year. The winner of the final event will receive an extremely attractive award: financing of a full season in a next-level feeder racing series by BMW.

“To be able to take to the track at the demanding Circuit Ricardo Tormo in a BMW FB02 single-seater racing car was in itself a very special experience", said Stüger. "To then win the scholarship shoot-out was an absolute highlight for me. Winning the scholarship shoot-out provides very special motivation for my participation in the 2013 Formula BMW Talent Cup season, where I plan to take my knowledge and skill in single-seater to the next level.”

On Friday, BMW Team Schnitzer hosted its end-of-season party in Freilassing.

Dr. Klaus Draeger, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Purchasing and Supplier Network, BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt, the two drivers Bruno Spengler and Dirk Werner, and many members of the BMW Motorsport team were present, but it was the team owner Herbert Schnitzer, Team Principal Charly Lamm and their successful outfit that took centre stage.

Marquardt took to the stage to pay tribute to the outstanding efforts of the pit crew, engineers, “good spirits” behind the scenes and, of course, the drivers over the course of the 2012 DTM season - a season in which BMW Team Schnitzer won the team competition and Spengler claimed the title in the Drivers’ Championship.

Earlier in the evening, “The Voice of Germany” star Sharron Levy entertained BMW Team Schnitzer and its guests in the truck garage. The “Barrel Beats Show” then provided the spectacular closing to the on-stage programme, before the actual party got started in the evening.

The final race of the season in Sao Paulo saw Sebastian Vettel secure his third FIA Formula One World Championship in a row. He started his career at BMW Motorsport.

Like many of the current crop of Formula One drivers, Vettel began his motorsport career as a BMW Junior and won the German Formula BMW series in 2004. BMW is still training successful young racing drivers today through its Formula BMW Talent Cup. Vettel made his Formula One debut for the BMW Sauber F1 Team in Indianapolis back in 2007, and finished in the points at the first attempt.

“Congratulations to Sebastian Vettel on his third World Championship title in a row. He now takes his place as one of the greats of the sport,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “I can still remember Vettel’s debut well from my own time in Formula One. Back then he was the test driver for the BMW Sauber F1 Team and stepped in for Robert Kubica. Since then he has enjoyed a rapid rise to success. Even as a BMW Junior, his immense talent was clear to see. His record of 18 wins from 20 races during the 2004 Formula BMW season remains unbeaten. We are pleased to have been able to support Vettel on his way to being Formula One World Champion. He still enjoys a good relationship with BMW Motorsport.”

Andy Priaulx is heading to Bangkok to take part in the Race of Champions for the seventh time.

This year the event, that attracts the worlds best racing drivers, will be held on the 14th - 16th December. For the first time he is being teamed up with David Coulthard, who he raced against in the DTM this year, in Team GB for the ROC Nations Cup.

Priaulx reached the individual semi-finals three times and the Nations Cup finals twice in 2009 and 2010. This time he will drive against big names such as F1 world champions Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher or MotoGP champions Jorge Lorenzo and Mick Doohan.

“I always enjoy the Race Of Champions", Priaulx said. "The atmosphere in the stadium is special and I’m looking forward to hearing the noise at the latest venue in Bangkok. I feel I still have unfinished business at this great event as I've already been runner-up a few times in the ROC Nations Cup, so I hope DC and I can go one better at last. I am aiming to lift one of those trophies. But we know that is a big task with such a range of legends in the field. It’s always very intense and everyone knows how to race and win.”

Despite dropping out of the race twice during the spectacular season finale of the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) in Macau, Norbert Michelisz from the Zengö Motorsport Team has won the title in the Independent Drivers’ class.

In the penultimate round, Michelisz and his two major competitors for the Independents’ trophy – Pepe Oriola (SEAT), and BMW driver Stefano D’Aste of Team Wiechers Sport – all dropped out of the race after a collision at the start. During the 24th and last round of the season, Michelisz was in a podium position when he touched the crash barriers during a tussle with Oriola, and this accident finally saw him dropping out for the second time. Oriola wasn’t able to carry on either, however, and D’Aste also had to retire. This meant Michelisz was able to keep a hold on the lead in the overall rankings.

The 28 year-old won with a total of 139 points. Oriola and D’Aste followed behind in second and third with 126 and 122 points respectively. "I’m very happy", Michelisz said. "The whole season has been a unique highlight for me and Zengö Motorsport. You’ll have seen we’ve been developing continuously, a trend that has manifested itself in our pole position and our victories. Continuous development is always the most important aspect for me. If you can make progress, then success will eventually come to you automatically."

Behind the wheel of his BMW 320 TC, Franz Engstler managed to get onto the Independent Drivers’ podium twice in Macau and so managed to push himself into fourth place. Chevrolet Driver Robert Huff became the new Touring Car World Champion.

In the 2012 motorsport season, the BMW Z4 GT3 once again proved to be the perfect car for privateer BMW drivers and teams around the world to successfully challenge for points and victories in championships held in accordance with GT3 regulations and at demanding endurance races.

Driven by a 4.4-litre, eight-cylinder engine, the car caused a stir wherever it appeared. To date, BMW Motorsport Distribution has supplied over 30 models, which have been competing on racetracks around the world since.

“The BMW Z4 GT3 has another impressive season behind it,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “Our BMW privateers have been in the mix almost everywhere they have lined up with this car. With a little more luck, we could quite possibly have seen one or two more titles coming our way. Since its debut, we have consistently developed the BMW Z4 GT3 and fine-tuned its performance. This process will continue next season. We are fully committed to this car and have numerous optimisations lined up, which will make the BMW Z4 GT3 even stronger in 2013. Until the end of 2015 at least, this model will spearhead our range of cars for privateer teams and drivers looking to achieve success in GT racing.”

The title in the Italian GT Championship went to Thomas Biagi and Stefano Colombo at the wheel of a ROAL Motorsport BMW Z4 GT3. The most prominent representative of the product range at BMW Motorsport Distribution was also responsible for victories in many other national championships. For example, BMW tasted success in the German ADAC GT Masters and the British GT Championship. The BMW Z4 GT3 was also among the most successful models in the GT300 class of the Japanese Super GT Championship and the Brazilian GT Championship, where BMW Team Brazil goes into the final races of the season with excellent title chances.

BMW privateers also made their mark on the fiercely competitive international series held in accordance with GT3 regulations: in the FIA GT1 World Championship, the Vita4One racing team claimed four wins and was involved in the title battle until the final race. In the Blancpain Endurance Series, the Marc VDS Racing team narrowly missed out on the title in a dramatic season finale. The BMW Z4 GT3 once again showed that it is a guarantee of success at 24-hour races this season, including the endurance classics at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife and Spa-Francorchamps. Four BMW Z4 GT3s finished in the top ten in the Eifel Mountains. In qualifying, BMW Team Schubert’s Uwe Alzen clocked the fastest lap time ever on this version of the “Green Hell” circuit. Gregory Franchi, Frank Kechele and Mathias Lauda of Vita4One Racing came home in third at the Spa 24 Hours to claim their place on the podium.

The development of the BMW Z4 GT3 sees the BMW Motorsport experts in Munich work closely with the privateer teams who run the car on a weekly basis. As such, BMW Motorsport invited the current crop of teams running the BMW Z4 GT3 to take part in the official development test for the 2013 season. The data acquired at this test, together with feedback from engineers in a wide range of series, provided the basis for a development package put together for 2013, which will make the car even more competitive than it already is. As well as making it simpler for less experienced teams to operate, the main focus was on optimising the drive train while at the same time fine-tuning the racing car’s aerodynamics. The BMW Z4 GT3 is the only GT3 car with Dynamic Stability Control (DSC). This aid system has been further developed, as has the anti-lock brake system (ABS). This also guarantees that any driver is instantly able to get to grips with, and is safe at the wheel of the BMW Z4 GT3.

As well as the permanent on-going development of its cars, another pillar of the philosophy at BMW Motorsport Distribution is the service it offers privateer BMW teams. The BMW Motorsport Service Trailer made its debut in 2012. This allowed teams at the racetrack access to spare parts at numerous events. The close connection with the worldwide BMW dealership network also ensures that spare parts can be quickly and reliably delivered to even the most remote fringes of the motorsport world. BMW Motorsport engineers provided their colleagues in privateer teams with on-site support at many races. BMW Motorsport’s service covered series like the Blancpain Endurance Series, the ADAC GT Masters and the VLN Endurance Championship at the Nürburgring. A 24-hour hotline on race weekends also guarantees that any team can call on BMW Motorsport’s expertise at any time during an event.

The cost of a race-ready BMW Z4 GT3 for the 2013 season is 349,000 Euros (plus VAT). The 2013 Racing Kit is available for 315,000 Euros (plus VAT). Twenty eleven and 2012 models can be upgraded to the latest vehicle specifications with the help of a modification kit.

The 15-year-old from Kullavik defeated a field from four different countries to emerge triumphant at the Lausitzring.

Victory secured Hansson a scholarship worth 35,700 Euros (incl. 19% German VAT), which goes towards the cost of participating in the 2013 season of the Formula BMW Talent Cup. Second and third place went to Michael Waldherr and Florian Stüger respectively.

BMW booked the Lausitzring exclusively for the scholarship shoot-out, which is the second of three such events being held as part of the selection programme for individuals interested in participating in the Formula BMW Talent Cup. Jules Szymkowiak beat twelve international competitors to win the first scholarship shoot-out at the Red Bull Ring in October. The third and final scholarship shoot-out will take place on the Circuit Ricardo Tormo near Valencia on November 25. There are only a handful of places still available for this date.

There are also other ways for people with an interest in formula racing to get their first taste of it, in addition to the scholarship shoot-outs. For drivers with some formula racing experience already under their belt or who have previously participated in a Formula BMW Talent Cup rookie test, there is another so-called “full test” in Valencia. The aim of the Formula BMW Talent Cup is to comprehensively and sustainably prepare talented drivers for a career in professional motorsport.

What an honour: the DTM has been named "European Racing Series of the Year 2012".

This special accolade was awarded by a jury consisting of international motorsport experts and journalists at the Professional Motorsport World Expo in Colonge. BMW's return to the series resulted in an extraordinary year for the fans and a hat-trick of titles for the manufacturer in its first season back after an absence of 20 years. Works driver Bruno Spengler won the Drivers' Championship at the wheel of the BMW Bank M3 DTM, while the manufacturer and team titles also went to BMW.

When the most powerful letter in the world turns 40, it deserves to be celebrated in style. The Nürburgring provided the perfect stage for the anniversary of BMW M. Read here, how Andy Priaulx experienced the climax of the celebrations.

Andy, what did you get up to at BMW M’s 40th anniversary celebrations at the Nürburgring?

Andy Priaulx: “Where better to celebrate the 40th birthday of BMW M than at the Nürburgring? BMW has enjoyed a remarkable 19 victories there at the 24-hour race alone, and I had the honour of standing on the top step of the podium there in 2005. It is a very special place and it was great to meet up with my DTM team-mates. It was particularly nice to see Alex Zanardi again, who I’ve known for a long time. Seeing him at the wheel of the BMW M3 DTM was fantastic. Obviously the rest of the programme was also sensational. I think the journalists enjoyed themselves – as did we.”

You drove a number of racing cars from throughout the long and illustrious history of BMW M and BMW Motorsport…

Priaulx: “That was really great fun. I drove the BMW M1 until darkness started to set in. That car is a real treat for any racing driver. I also drove a BMW powered 1977 Formula 2 car, a BMW 320i STW from 1995 and a BMW M3 from the 1987 season. I enjoyed every single lap.”

How will you spend the winter break?

Priaulx: “For me, the new DTM season began as soon as I crossed the finish line at the finale in Hockenheim. In 2013 I want to follow on from the good results I achieved in the last few races – and to come back even stronger. I know what to expect now, and will spend the winter concentrating on improving certain areas ahead of next season. I want to return to my winning ways as soon as possible.”

While the DTM stars of BMW Motorsport are in action at the Nürburgring to celebrate “40 Years of BMW M”, Alex Zanardi makes his dream come true by driving a golden BMW M3 DTM.

At 14:22hrs came the moment many people had been waiting for: in typically autumn weather in the Eifel region of Germany, Alessandro Zanardi left the pit lane at the Nürburgring and headed out onto the iconic track at the wheel of the BMW M3 DTM for the first time. Within just a few laps the 46-year-old had slotted seamlessly back into racing driver mode and looked more at home in the car with each of his 32 laps.

This unique opportunity was BMW Motorsport’s way of acknowledging the outstanding sporting achievements of Zanardi, who won two gold and one silver medal on his handbike at the Paralympic Games in London. In keeping with the occasion, the BMW M3 DTM sported a gold livery, specially designed for Zanardi. As well as the Italian’s image on the bonnet, the roof of the car also featured the three medals, which Zanardi won at this summer’s Paralympic Games having lost both legs in an accident in 2001.

“I am delighted we have taken on this adventure successfully with Alessandro Zanardi,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “For years he has been a valued member of the BMW Motorsport family and is a great role model for us all. Despite his handicap, he approaches every challenge with great optimism and passes every test with flying colours. His medals at the Paralympic Games in London are fine examples of this, as are the four race victories he achieved in the FIA World Touring Car Championship for BMW Motorsport. As we have seen today, the challenge of driving the technically complex BMW M3 DTM also proved to be no obstacle for him.”

“I am overjoyed to have been given the opportunity to drive the BMW M3 DTM today,” said Zanardi. “This is a very special day for me, and one I will always remember fondly. I would like to thank everyone at BMW who has helped make this special moment possible for me. It was a challenge to modify the car to meet my requirements and I am surprised just how quickly the BMW Motorsport engineers managed to complete the necessary modifications. However, the guys have done a great job. I had great fun out on the track. When I first saw the golden car I was overwhelmed. I still have a passion for racing. However, I’m not sure whether our demonstration drive will be anything more than just that, as the level in the DTM may possibly prove to be too high for someone of my age. As such, my main focus is on something completely different after today’s drive: I felt that the BMW family is still behind me and loves me. They showed that once again today.”

After the final race of the DTM season in Hockenheim, at which BMW sensationally won the drivers’, team and manufacturers’ titles, the BMW Motorsport engineers turned their attention to the preparations for this very special drive. While the modifications made to the BMW M3 DTM would not be suitable to be used under race conditions, they did allow Zanardi to complete this unique demonstration drive at the Nürburgring. Accelerator and clutch pedals were removed and the brake pedal was shifted to the right in order to allow Zanardi to brake with his prosthetic right leg. He operated the accelerator with his left hand on the steering wheel, while he was able to change gear by pushing and pulling the shift paddle. The application for the pneumatic-hydraulic clutch was located on the shift panel.

Zanardi’s outing in the BMW M3 DTM was one of the highlights of the three-day celebrations to mark the 40^th anniversary of BMW M. Countless international media representatives were at the Nürburgring, where they were able to experience the history of BMW M at close hand and to meet the current crop of BMW DTM drivers – for interviews and in direct competition out on the track. The journalists went up against DTM champion Bruno Spengler and his fellow BMW drivers Martin Tomczyk, Dirk Werner, Andy Priaulx, Augusto Farfus and test and development driver Marco Wittmann in kart races and a competition to see who could perform the fastest tyre change. They were also given driving lessons in a Formula BMW racing car and experienced taxi rides and demonstrations with various BMW race cars.

At the “M Night” evening event, it was the turn of the original orchestrators of BMW M’s success, as well as former and current drivers and management, to have their say. They entertained guests with fascinating stories from throughout the 40-year history of the most powerful letter in the world.

Bruno Spengler secured DTM title no 4 for BMW in Hockenheim, BMW Team Schnitzer won the team title and BMW took the manufacturers' crown. Relive the highlights of the unbelievable 2012 DTM season. What a sensational comeback year this has been for us!

The new BMW Z4 GTE experienced another first at Sebring on Friday and took part in its maiden American Le Mans Series (ALMS) qualifying session.

In the contest for the top grid positions for the classic 12-hour race, Maxime Martin was in action driving the “Frozen Black” No. 55 car. Joey Hand took to the track at the wheel of the No. 56 BMW Z4 GTE. Martin clocked the eighth-fastest GT-class time, setting a 1:59.736-minute lap, while Hand was 0.111 seconds behind in ninth. Ferrari’s Gianmaria Bruni secured pole position for the 61^st staging of the race, posting a lap time of 1:58.815 minutes.

BMW Team RLL had made full use of the previous days at the “Sebring International Raceway” to gain further valuable experience with the BMW Z4 GTE. The race, which will go green on Saturday at 10:30hrs local time, will be the first real endurance test for the newly developed car. Martin will then team up with Bill Auberlen and Jörg Müller, while Hand will alternate at the wheel of the No. 56 car with Dirk Müller and John Edwards.

Bobby Rahal (Team Principal of BMW Team RLL): “We have worked really hard this week on preparing the car for the race, not so much for qualifying. The other cars in the field are far more developed, and the teams know them in and out. This is something which has a big impact on a track like Sebring. However, the gap to the front-runners isn’t too bad. We should be well-prepared for the race and have a reliable car. The whole team will go on pushing hard, and I’m quite optimistic for Saturday.”

Maxime Martin (BMW Z4 GTE – car number 55): “Overall I’m happy with my first ALMS qualifying. There wasn’t much more we could do today. It’s a long race though, and a lot of things can happen. The BMW Z4 GTE is quite good, although we are just at the beginning of its development. However, there’s still a lot of work to do. But we already knew this. I am really enjoying my maiden race weekend with BMW Team RLL. Everything is new for me, but I am getting along really well.”

Joey Hand (BMW Z4 GTE – car number 56): “Of course we always want to start from further up on the grid. Introducing a new car into such a tough series as the ALMS is a big challenge. The BMW Z4 GTE feels really good already. It’s all about making the next steps now and getting the full potential out of it. We have come a long way within a reasonably short period of time. We are in the mix – and I’m quite confident for the race.”