BMW Motorsport News – Issue 28/13.
Whether in the DTM, the American Le Mans Series, or countless other championships: week after week BMW teams and drivers around the world do battle for points, victories and titles. Away from the track too, members of the large BMW Motorsport family around the world are also creating headlines. The “BMW Motorsport News” allows us to regularly summarise all the action for you in a compact and informative manner. This way, you are always up to speed.
DTM: Farfus back on the podium in Moscow.
Having triumphed at the opening race in Hockenheim (DE), the only other points for Augusto Farfus (BR) in the first half of the season came in the form of a sixth place in Spielberg (AT). The BMW Team RBM driver opened his account in the second half of the 2013 DTM with a second podium, finishing third as the series made its debut in Moscow (RU). His team-mate Joey Hand (US) and BMW Team Schnitzer driver Dirk Werner (DE) also finished in the points, coming home seventh and eighth respectively.
Three questions for … Augusto Farfus.
Augusto, how important is this result for you?
Augusto Farfus: “It feels like a victory for me. It was obvious I was not in the fastest car on the track so I had to fight hard all the time for this. The race was actually like qualifying as the pace was so intense and I had to drive for 74 laps on the limit without making any mistakes. At the end I am really happy with what we have achieved after some bad weekends.”
What are your expectations for the Nürburgring?
Farfus: “I have to be honest and say we are still playing catch up. Also the DTM keeps changing and every race weekend is a new adventure. If you look at last year then I have to say a win should be possible. Bruno won there so we know the BMW M3 DTM can be competitive on this track. A few changes can make all the difference so this is what I am hoping for. Also it is a track I love. I can't wait to get back there as my memories are some of the best ones I have. I have won in the 24 hours and now want to win a DTM race there.”
What was your view of the first DTM race at the Moscow Raceway?
Farfus: “I thoroughly enjoyed my first visit to Russia, although I never got to see anything apart from the hotel and the race track. The track was fun and I think produced a good race for the 45,000 fans. It was good to see so many of them actually watching us as I know motor racing is very new in the country. I suppose if I had one wish and that was we could race on the longer version of the track as I felt we could have put on an ever better show than we did over 2.5 kilometres.”
ADAC GT Masters: Hürtgen and Baumann win with the BMW Z4 GT3.
The Schubert Motorsport team ended the fourth race weekend of the ADAC GT Masters at the Nürburgring (DE) in magnificent style, with a win and a third place in Sunday’s second race. Starting from second on the grid, Claudia Hürtgen (DE) and Dominik Baumann (AT) drove a perfect race to take victory in the number 19 BMW Z4 GT3. The second win of the year saw the duo move to the top of the Drivers’ Championship at the halfway point in the season. With 84 points to their name, they now hold an eight-point lead over their closest rivals. Their team-mates Jörg Müller (DE), who made a successful comeback after a long injury-enforced break, and Max Sandritter (DE) added a third on Sunday to the seventh place they had claimed in race one on Saturday. “What a fantastic second race,” said Team Manager Stefan Wendl. “We knew would improve significantly on Saturday without the additional weight. We also found exactly the right set-up. We are now leading the Drivers’ Championship and will do everything in our powers to defend this position in the second half of the season.” The number 12 BMW Z4 GT3 belonging to DB Motorsport and driven by Simon Knap (NL) and Jeroen den Boer (NL) also picked up points, coming home eighth in the first race.