Back in Budapest: BMW and the DTM return to the Hungaroring

Munich, 26th May 2014. BMW Motorsport and the DTM are returning to the iconic Hungaroring (HU). After an absence of 26 years, the popular touring car series is back in Budapest (HU). When the DTM made its first appearance there on 18th September 1988, it was still in the two-race format. Markus Oestreich (DE) was the best-placed BMW driver, finishing both races in fourth place at the wheel of the legendary BMW M3. Back then, the field was made up of 34 drivers, including 16 in BMW racing cars. The latest crop of BMW drivers has already gained experience of the Hungaroring in the BMW M4 DTM during the official ITR tests in the run-up to the season.

Going into the third round of the DTM on 1st June 2014, BMW is currently second in the Manufacturers' Championship with 66 points. The best-placed BMW driver in the Drivers' Championship is Marco Wittmann (DE) in third place with 25 points. The 24-year-old from Fürth (DE) claimed BMW Motorsport's first pole position of the season at the second race in Oschersleben in the Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM. This was also the 40th pole for BMW in the DTM, the tenth since it returned to the DTM in 2012, and the first for BMW Team RMG. Wittmann is joined in the top ten of the Drivers' Championship by fellow BMW drivers Augusto Farfus (BR), Timo Glock (DE) and Bruno Spengler (CA).

The new Performance Weights will be in use again at the Hungaroring. Both Farfus and Tomczyk will compete with an additional 2.5 kilograms on board. Wittmann, Spengler, Glock and Joey Hand (US) carry no additional weight. DTM rookies António Félix da Costa (PT) and Maxime Martin (BE) may remove 2.5 kilograms from their BMW M4 DTMs.

Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):

'Maiden win and first pole position for the BMW M4 DTM, countless overtaking manoeuvres, and a spectacular battle in the rain: the first two DTM races of the year were certainly not lacking in action. We opened with a dream result in Hockenheim, but luck was not on our side in Oschersleben. Therefore, I hope Budapest gives us another race in regular conditions, which will allow us to convert our car's performance into points across the board again. Returning to Budapest after a quarter of a century is very special for the DTM, and for BMW Motorsport. The fans in Hungary are incredibly enthusiastic – something Timo Glock experienced on his outing in the city centre a few weeks ago. This passion in the stands will definitely give our drivers and teams an extra boost and encourage them to put on a great show and thrilling race at the Hungaroring.'

'Our team has never raced at the Hungaroring before, so we are all really looking forward to making our first appearance there. The fact that Augusto Farfus was able to score points in Oschersleben, despite the difficult conditions, was very positive. We have scored points in the first two DTM races of 2014 and are now looking to carry this momentum into the weekend in Budapest.'

Charly Lamm (Team Principal, BMW Team Schnitzer):

'We were very disappointed not to get the result we had hoped for in Oschersleben. Unfortunately the many safety car phases cost us a better result. Under normal circumstances we could definitely have done better, even in the rain. We now head to the next race in Budapest fully motivated. We may have tested in Hungary, but the Hungaroring on a race weekend will be a new experience for all the teams. I hope we will be rewarded for our hard work at the race, and that we will come away with better results than we have done of late. '

Ernest Knoors (Team Principal, BMW Team MTEK):

'We may have tested together in Hungary, but the Hungaroring on a race weekend is still a new experience for all the teams. With this in mind, it will be fascinating to see who comes to terms best with this circuit. Timo Glock has already seen the passion for racing in Budapest for himself, and reported back to the team, who are now all really looking forward to our first race there.'

Stefan Reinhold (Team Principal, BMW Team RMG):

'It really is one race after another in the DTM – and I like this two-week cycle. It obviously also means a lot of work within a short amount of time, but that makes it easier to maintain the excitement and adrenalin levels. Although the result in Oschersleben was not ideal for us, we still travel to Hungary in good spirits. The pace is good – and we want to show that and hit straight back at the Hungaroring.'

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

'We did test at the Hungaroring in the season preparation, but a lot has changed since then. We know the cars a lot better now, and the temperatures will also be different to what we experienced in April. That makes the race in Budapest a completely new experience for everyone. I like the circuit and hope we can be competitive again there.'

Joey Hand (car number 4, BMW Team RBM):

'Budapest is a great city, and the fans in Hungary are just fantastic. When we were there for the test in April, they even stopped me at the airport and wanted me to sign autographs. I think Budapest is good for the DTM. It will be an amazing show. The Hungaroring is a pretty cool track – a bit old-school. It reminds me of the old American circuits that I love so much. I am looking forward to the race.'

Bruno Spengler (car number 9, BMW Team Schnitzer):

'Budapest has only hosted the DTM on one occasion in the past. No BMW driver has finished on the podium at this circuit before. We are out to change all that. My goal is always to get the maximum out of the car and myself. The same goes for the race in Hungary. Qualifying will be extremely important. I don't think the Hungaroring will offer many opportunities for overtaking, even with DRS, as the start/finish straight is rather short.'

Martin Tomczyk (car number 10, BMW Team Schnitzer):

'I am very much looking forward to the trip to Budapest. For us drivers, it is always nice to race at a new circuit. It does help that we already have some experience of the Hungaroring, thanks to the ITR test there this spring. The show run in Budapest a few weeks ago proved that the fans in Hungary are mad about motorsport.'

Timo Glock (car number 17, BMW Team MTEK):

'Budapest is an absolute highlight for me – particularly after my show run there before the season-opener in Hockenheim. The fans gave me an awesome welcome and enjoyed a fantastic festival of motorsport. It is fantastic for the DTM and Hungary that the series is back in Budapest after an absence of 26 years. I am now excited to see how we get on at the Hungaroring. Testing there is one thing. But a DTM race there is a different affair. I hope we will pick up plenty of points for BMW.'

António Félix da Costa (car number 18, BMW Team MTEK):

'The race in Budapest is very special for me. I want to continue my good run there: After all, I won both races in the 2012 GP3 series at this circuit. I know the track, so am well prepared for the weekend. I expect a tough, nerve-racking qualifying and a fiercely-competitive race – as always in the DTM.'

Marco Wittmann (car number 23, BMW Team RMG):

'I travel to the race in Budapest full of confidence. The first two races showed that I have the necessary pace. With this in mind, my goal for the third qualifying of the year is to score another strong result, which will then allow me to go on the attack. The Hungaroring has a lot of corners, and is similar in character to Oschersleben – even if some of the corners have a different style. Downforce is important again at this track. I am racing without the five kilos of Performance Weights I had on board in Oschersleben. I am intrigued to see how much I can benefit from that.'

Maxime Martin (car number 24, BMW Team RMG):

'I like the circuit on the outskirts of Budapest. The track is not easy. However, BMW has the potential to be successful at the Hungaroring. It will definitely be another tough race, as the field is incredibly evenly matched. Hungary marks my third DTM weekend. For me, the priority remains to gain experience. I am feeling more and more comfortable in the car and with the series.'

Photo credit: BMW
posted on conceptcarz.com

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