After a total of 880 laps completed by the new BMW M4 DTM at this week’s final pre-season test in Hockenheim, the Munich manufacturer is as best prepared as possible for the season opener in a month’s time.
The sentiments of the brand that is looking for further titles in 2017 is clearly pointing towards excitement, according to Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt.
“You could sense a real upbeat mood at today’s Media Day in Hockenheim. It was a fantastic feeling,” explained Marquardt, who expressed a feeling that the teams and drivers are all looking forward to go back into battle.
“From a competition point of view, we have learned a lot again on this final stretch of the season preparation. Every lap of the Hockenheimring is extremely useful to help us prepare perfectly for the curtain raiser.”
He also admitted that the plans to drive high mileage did not come to pass as expected, but it also helped in the development of the new car and give new team RMR a chance to complete their preparations for the forthcoming season.
With six drivers getting the chance to drive the fully-homologated new car for the first time this week, he felt that it also assisted in the characteristics of the new regulations for all involved.
“I am confident that the new technical regulations and the changes that have been made to the sporting regulations will ensure that we enjoy 18 thrilling races.”
“It was a long winter break – but the break is not boring if you are the champion. These final tests were really important,” said defending champion Marco Wittmann, whose #11 M4 DTM will again be adorned with the Red Bull livery he started using last season.
“It is always better to be able to sort out any difficulties with the new car during preparation, instead of on the first race day. And it is great to conclude the test by setting the fastest lap time on the final afternoon. So, I am really optimistic for the start of the season. The anticipation is growing with every passing day.”
The first race weekend of the 2017 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season gets underway in just a month’s time at the Hockenheimring, where the new regulations will bring further unpredicability in the new beginnings of the series under new leadership.