BMW storms to the top at DTM in the Alps

At the third season round of the DTM, exclusively supported by premium tyre manufacturer Hankook, at Spielberg in Austria, BMW was the benchmark. At the Red Bull Ring, Bruno Spengler won after an impressive display from his fellow BMW driver Marco Wittmann. Timo Glock completed the clean sweep of the podium for the car manufacturer from Munich by finishing third.Spielberg/Austria, June 2nd, 2013It was the weekend for the brand from Munich. At the Red Bull Ring, BMW scored a dominant 1-2-3. Reigning DTM champion Bruno Spengler in particular was in a class of his own and after a commanding lights-to-flag victory took the lead in the drivers standings. Rookie driver Marco Wittmann also showed a strong performance with his BMW M3 DTM and scored his maiden podium finish in the most popular international touring car series. At the Red Bull Ring, Timo Glock drove his best race in the DTM to date. At the track in the Styrian Alps, the ex-Formula 1 driver moved up through the ranks from twelfth place on the grid and crowned his courageous race with third place.

Mike Rockenfeller, who led the drivers standings coming to Austria, was the best-placed Audi driver in fourth place, but lost his points lead to race winner Spengler. Still, the 29-year old, who had started from 13th place, again showed a very strong performance and remains one of the serious candidates for the DTM title. Behind Rockenfeller, his fellow Audi driver Mattias Ekstrm scored his best result of the season to date in fifth place. Seventh-placed Christian Vietoris was the strongest Mercedes-Benz driver, 18-year old DTM novice Pascal Wehrlein already scored points for the second time this year with his DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coup.

Like in qualifying on Saturday, the weather experts also turned out to be wrong with their forecast of rain on Sunday. At a dry track, the drivers were able to complete long and fast stints with Hankooks new option tyre as tyre wear was very little at the finely-poored asphalt of the Red Bull Ring. In the race, Bruno Spengler completed a long stint with the Ventus Race Plus before the ultra-fast slick tyre started dropping off. At the slick track surface, the base line slick of the DTMs exclusive tyre partner also provided the drivers with plenty of grip and allowed them to drive consistently fast lap times.

Bruno Spengler (BMW): It was my goal to pull clear from the rest of the field and I succeeded. With the Hankook option tyres, I was able to drive very long and deliver fast lap times. That was one of the keys to victory. But the car was optimal, too, and strategy and pit stops were perfect.

Timo Glock (BMW): The option tyre is like tailor-made for me. It simply worked, I gained a lot of time with it and having a few more sets of them would make me glad. I am relaxed going into the next races and I am not putting myself under pressure. I am starting from scratch again at the Lausitzring in a fortnight.

Mike Rockenfeller (Audi): Our strategy was very good, I was able to make up many places and move up into fourth position. Hankooks option tyres were a great help in doing so, I have made up a lot of ground with them. The battle for the DTM title is open, there are still many races to be raced.


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