BMW Team Schnitzer drivers Bruno Spengler and Martin Tomczyk admit that they must improve their qualifying performances, after the duo failed to take any points in the previous round of the series.
The Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters heads to the Moscow Raceway in Russia this weekend for the fifth round of the championship. Neither Spengler nor Tomczyk scored points on the DTM’s début in Russia in 2013, when the race was held on the short circuit. Canadian Spengler admits that he is pleased to see the series taking on the longer circuit in 2014.
“I took a look at the longer circuit in Moscow when we were there last year, and wished we were driving on that one, and now we are,” admitted Spengler. “It will be great to see how it feels in the BMW M4 DTM.”
The Canadian admits that an improvement in qualifying is needed, after the 2012 champion could only qualify in 16th at the Norisring, before going on to improve to 11th in the race.
“Generally speaking, we have to improve in qualifying, in order to establish a good starting position for the race. If we do that, we can achieve a good result,” added Spengler.
Tomczykj praised the 2013 event held in Russia, despite the German finishing down in 19th position in last year’s race. The former champion will be looking to bounce back from his disappointing Norisrting race last time out, where he retired and picked up a three-place grid penalty for contact with Mercedes’ Gary Paffett.
“We had a great event in Moscow last year, which was very well received by the fans. Therefore, I am looking forward to returning,” said Tomczyk. “We will all have to adapt to the new layout, but I am confident it will be another fascinating race.
“Unfortunately I have to live with a grid penalty of three places, but I am still determined to get the best possible result.”
BMW Team Schnitzer Team Principal Charly Lamm says the longer Moscow Raceway should suit the BMW M4 more than the Norisring last time out, where the stop-start nature of the circuit favoured Mercedes more.
“Unfortunately we did not get the result we were hoping for at the Norisring,” said Lamm. “However, we all start from scratch again in Moscow – particularly as we will be faced with a different version of the circuit to the one we raced on in 2013.
“The longer circuit is far more varied and features some interesting combinations of corners. This characteristic should suit the strengths of the BMW M4 DTM more than the Norisring.”