Augusto Farfus “honoured” to drive BMW’s 2017 DTM challenger

After a lot of work by all three brands ahead of the imposed homologation lockdown by rights holders ITR e.V, BMW Motorsport opted to carry out a full schedule on their new M4 DTM at the recent three day test at Portimaõ this past week.

Augusto Farfus, who has switched from Bert Mampaey’s Team RBM to Stefan Reinhold’s Team RMG, was given the first chance to test the 2017 car in its final specification.

“The car feels good and has great potential, but we still have a lot of set-up work ahead of us between now and the start of the season,” said the 2013 runner-up.

The Brazilian has had a difficult run of form in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters since 2013, having fought hard until the penultimate round at Zandvoort that year, where he won ahead of that year’s champion, Audi Sport’s Mike Rockenfeller.

“It was an honour for me to be the first to drive the new BMW M4 DTM,” said the 33-year-old, who has been very busy with other activities, which included racing at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona with current and ex-BMW DTM alumni Bruno Spengler, Maxime Martin and Martin Tomczyk.

“It was important to use these days to get to know both the new car and my new team.”

Defending champion Marco Wittmann is also looking ahead to the new challenges for the forthcoming season, which will make a difference to the action come the season opener in Hockenheim.

“We are very happy with the test. It was very interesting to take to the track with the new BMW M4 DTM for the first time,” said the Fürth-based driver.

“Our findings will be very important for the development work ahead. It is always fun to drive a car for the first time in the development phase, and to discover what effect any innovations may have on the track. I think the greater power and new tyres will make for more action and exciting races.”