BMW claims its tenth one-two-three in the DTM – Spengler leads Wittmann and Glock home in Spielberg

Sunday, 2nd June 2013 - BMW

Spielberg (AT), 2nd June 2013. BMW Motorsport has added another chapter to its remarkable success story in the DTM: at the end of 47 laps, reigning champion Bruno Spengler (CA) crossed the finish line first in the BMW Bank M3 DTM to win the third race of the 2013 DTM in Spielberg (AT). Marco Wittmann (DE, Ice-Watch BMW M3 DTM) came home second, just 1.550 seconds later. He was followed by Timo Glock (DE, DEUTSCHE POST BMW M3 DTM), Wittmann’s BMW Team MTEK team-mate, who completed the first one-two-three for BMW since returning to the DTM in 2012. It was also the first appearance on the podium for the two rookies, in only their third race.

This was the tenth time in the history of the DTM that the podium had been completely monopolised by BMW drivers, while BMW Team Schnitzer celebrated its 13th victory in the popular touring car series. Spengler, who started the race from pole position, climbed onto the top step of the podium for the 14th time in his career. The Canadian dominated the race from the off and moved to the top of the Drivers’ Championship on 53 points courtesy of his first win of the season. In addition, Wittmann set the fastest lap of the race in 1:25.505 minutes.

Augusto Farfus (BR) in the Castrol EDGE BMW M3 DTM and Dirk Werner (DE) in the SAMSUNG BMW M3 DTM also picked up valuable points, coming home sixth and eighth. Therefore, five BMW drivers ended the race in the top eight. Martin Tomczyk (DE) produced an excellent opening lap to move up to fifth after the first few corners. After a number of fierce duels with rivals and his first pit stop, he was spun by Mercedes driver Roberto Merhi (ES), who was subsequently penalised. Tomczyk retired from the race on lap 30 with a damaged car. Joey Hand (US) had to park up his BMW M3 DTM on the 11th lap when the front-left wheel came loose after his first pit stop. Andy Priaulx (GB), starting from last place on the grid, was unable to make the progress required to finish in the points, ending the race in 19th in the Crowne Plaza Hotels BMW M3 DTM.

Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):
“That is a historic triumph for BMW. It is the first time since our DTM comeback we have had three BMW drivers on the podium. I am very proud of the entire team. Bruno Spengler produced a flawless display, leading from start to finish to move to the top of the overall standings. New BMW Team MTEK and its team principal Ernest Knoors also deserves a huge compliment: in only their third DTM race, our young rookie Marco Wittmann and our somewhat older rookie Timo Glock finished second and third to claim their first podiums. You have to take your hat off to that. Everything really came together perfectly today. We must make sure we savour the achievement. We will enjoy today.”