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  • Double podium for Audi in rain battle at Assen

    DTM Assen 2019 - Nico Müller, René Rast
    DTM Assen 2019 – Nico Müller, René Rast

    Double podium for Audi in rain battle at Assen – Audi clinched another double podium in the DTM’s eagerly awaited premiere on the famous motorcycle race track at Assen and half-way through the 2019 season maintains the lead in all three championships.

    With 18 out of 27 possible podium finishes, Audi has managed an impressive start to the DTM’s turbo era with the new RS 5 DTM. After the first half of the season, two Audi drivers René Rast (145 points) and Nico Müller (121) are heading the standings.

    In difficult conditions on Saturday, both extended their advantage over third-placed BMW driver Philipp Eng with strong performances. In the manufacturers’ championship, with 508 points Audi clearly leads ahead of BMW (388). In the teams’ championship, two Audi teams Audi Sport Team Rosberg and Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline are the front runners.

    Heavy rain made the first DTM race in the “Cathedral of Speed” tricky, especially in the early stage. “We had aquaplaning in many sections. It was difficult to keep the car on track,” said Nico Müller, who on the first ten laps fought back from sixth on the grid to third position. “I lost a bit too much time to the leaders in the process.”

    Müller changed tires only shortly before the end of the race and at the pit stop maintained first place in front of Marco Wittmann (BMW) and René Rast, who had been battling head to head for the lead straight from the start. “Unfortunately, it took a little longer than I was hoping to get the new rain tires to work. That’s why Marco got past me,” said Müller. “He deserved winning today.”

    “The duel with Marco obviously cost a lot of time, so Nico rejoined the race in front of us,” said Rast, who finished third behind Wittmann and Müller. It was anything but a perfect race. Even so, it ended in a podium and I continue to lead the championship. Tomorrow we’re going to attack again.” The third-best Audi driver in Saturday’s race was Jonathan Aberdein from the customer team WRT Team Audi Sport in sixth position. Jamie Green, after a difficult qualifying, fought back from 12th on the grid to seventh place. With Loïc Duval and Mike Rockenfeller in positions eight and nine, the two drivers from Audi Sport Team Phoenix and thus six Audi RS 5 DTM cars in total finished in the points.

  • BMW’s Marco Wittmann celebrates third DTM win of the season in the Assen rain – a total of four BMW drivers in the points

    BMW’s Marco Wittmann celebrates third DTM win of the season in the Assen rain – a total of four BMW drivers in the points

    BMW’s Marco Wittmann celebrates third DTM win of the season in the Assen rain – a total of four BMW drivers in the points – Marco Wittmann (GER) has triumphed in the ninth race of the 2019 DTM season for BMW at Assen (NED). At the legendary ‘TT Circuit’, the BMW Team RMG driver in the Schaeffler BMW M4 DTM celebrated his third win of the season, from pole position. Philipp Eng (AUT, ZF BMW M4 DTM), Timo Glock (GER, JiVS BMW M4 DTM) and Sheldon van der Linde (RSA, Shell BMW M4 DTM) also reached the points, concluding in fourth, fifth and tenth places. Outside the top ten, Bruno Spengler (CAN, BMW Bank M4 DTM) and Joel Eriksson (SWE, CATL BMW M4 DTM) crossed the line in 15th and 16th positions.

    The ninth race of the season was finally given the green light after three laps, but the safety car reappeared just one lap later after an Aston Martin had retired. At the head of the field, Wittmann stayed calm and in control. His overtaking manoeuvre against Nico Müller (SUI, Audi) just before the end proved decisive. Müller had rejoined just ahead of the BMW driver after his pit stop, but Wittmann was able to make his move stick.

    This was the 86th DTM win for BMW, and the fifth of the 2019 season. Wittmann celebrated his 14th triumph in 103 races and moved into the top ten of the all-time DTM winners’ list. He is now in ninth place in the standings, together with Johnny Cecotto (VEN) and Alessandro Nannini (ITA). This was the 20th DTM win for BMW Team RMG. Eng now has 111 points under his belt and is still the best-placed BMW driver, remaining third in the drivers’ standings, while Wittmann has moved up to fourth position (100). BMW scored 51 points in the manufacturers’ standings and ranks second with 388 points, behind Audi (508).

  • Spengler now the sole DTM record winner and victorious for BMW in Norisring

    Spengler now the sole DTM record winner and victorious for BMW in Norisring
    Spengler now the sole DTM record winner and victorious for BMW in Norisring

    Spengler now the sole DTM record winner and victorious for BMW in Norisring – In Sunday’s race in the DTM at the Norisring (GER), BMW got their fourth win of the season. Bruno Spengler (CAN), at the wheel of the BMW Bank M4 DTM crossed the finish line as winner for BMW Team RMG after 70 laps.

    A total of three BMW drivers finished in the points in the eighth race of the year.

    Philipp Eng (AUT, ZF BMW M4 DTM) of BMW Team RBM saw the chequered flag in fifth place. Timo Glock (GER, JiVS BMW M4 DTM), who started the race from 17th on the grid after suffering a technical problem in qualifying, showed real fighting spirit and worked his way up into ninth place during the course of the race. Joel Eriksson (SWE) had to make do with 13th place in the CATL BMW M4 DTM.

    Local hero Marco Wittmann (GER, Schaeffler BMW M4 DTM) and Sheldon van der Linde (RSA, Shell BMW M4 DTM) both retired due to technical problems. Both of them were also on track to finish in the points for much of the race.

    16th DTM Victory

    It was Spengler‘s 16th DTM victory – and his fifth win at the Norisring. This makes him the sole DTM record winner at this track. He celebrated his 50th podium. BMW have now racked up a total of 85 DTM wins. A BMW driver has stood on top of the podium four times in 2019, and therefore in half of the races to date.

    The best-placed BMW driver in the overall standings is still Eng with 101 points in third place. Behind him are Spengler (76) and Wittmann (72) in fourth and fifth place. BMW is in second place in the manufacturers’ standings with 338 points, behind Audi (457).

  • Eriksson on the podium for BMW at the Norisring

    Joel Eriksson (SWE) finished third in race seven of the DTM season
    Joel Eriksson (SWE) finished third in race seven of the DTM season

    Eriksson on the podium for BMW at the Norisring – Four BMW M4 DTMs in the points

    Joel Eriksson (SWE) finished third in race seven of the DTM season at the Norisring (GER) on Saturday. In doing so, the BMW Team RBM driver, at the wheel of the CATL BMW M4 DTM, claimed his third podium in the DTM. Bruno Spengler (CAN, BMW Bank M4 DTM), Philipp Eng (AUT, ZF BMW M4 DTM) and Marco Wittmann (GER, Schaeffler BMW M4 DTM) came home fifth, seventh and eighth to score points in a race won by René Rast (GER, Audi). Sheldon van der Linde (RSA, Shell BMW M4 DTM) and Timo Glock (GER, JiVS BMW M4 DTM) failed to finish.

    Eng remains the best-placed BMW representative in the Drivers’ Championship in third place with 91 points. He trails championship leader Rast by 27 points. BMW lies second with 301 points in the Manufacturers Championship.

    In reactions to the seventh DTM race of the 2019 season at the Norisring.

    “THAT WAS ANOTHER OF THOSE RACES WHICH ONLY THE NORISRING CAN PRODUCE. WE ONCE AGAIN HAD EXCITING SCENES IN THE VERY FIRST CORNER – AND THE SAFETY CAR AGAIN TURNED EVERYTHING ON ITS HEAD. RENÉ WAS LAST, THEN OUT CAME THE SAFETY CAR AND SUDDENLY HE WAS LEADING. DESPITE THAT, CONGRATULATIONS TO RENÉ RAST ON HIS WIN. OUR GUYS TRIED REALLY HARD TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE SITUATION. BRUNO AND PHILIPP HAD THE PACE TO MATCH THE FRONT-RUNNERS. THE EXTENT TO WHICH MARCO’S TYRES WERE WEARING MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO FINISH THE RACE. THERE WAS NOT MUCH LEFT OF HIS TYRES. JOEL HAD HAD A GOOD RACE UNTIL HE LOST SECOND PLACE IN THE FINAL CORNER. MAYBE HE COULD HAVE MADE HIMSELF A BIT WIDER THERE. HIS PODIUM IS A POSITIVE BUT, ON THE WHOLE, WE DID NOT SCORE ENOUGH POINTS. WE MUST TRY TO SHOW THE PACE THAT BRUNO AND PHILIPP HAD FROM THE START TOMORROW, AND TO QUALIFY AT THE FRONT, IN ORDER TO SCORE MAXIMUM POINTS.”

    BMW GROUP MOTORSPORT DIRECTOR, JENS MARQUARDT
  • Mercedes-AMG A 45 and CLA 45 “Edition 55”

    Mercedes-AMG A 45 and CLA 45 “Edition 55”
    CLA 45 S 4MATIC Coupé 55 Edition

    Mercedes-AMG A 45 and CLA 45 “Edition 55” – yet more special models in the compact class

    Six further special performance cars released to mark Mercedes-AMG’s 55th birthday anniversary.

    Mercedes-AMG is lengthening the range of “Edition 55” special models launched in celebration of “55 years of AMG” to consist of the compact performance models A 45 4MATIC and A 45 S 4MATIC Compact Saloon (WLTP: combined fuel consumption 9.1-8.7 l/100 km, combined CO2 emissions 207-198 g/km), and CLA 45 4MATIC and CLA 45 S 4MATIC as Coupé and Shooting Brake (WLTP: combined fuel consumption 9.1-8.5 l/100 km, combined CO2 emissions 207-194 g/km).

    Paintwork in the sophisticated shades of cosmos black metallic or digital white metallic emphasizes the special look, as do decals with the traditional AMG logo and suggested AMG rhombus, along with 19-inch AMG cross-spoke forged wheels. The 55th anniversary models of the “45” performance cars are available to order now until December 2022.

    The scope of equipment for the “Edition 55” models consists of the AMG Aerodynamics package. This includes a front apron with a larger front splitter and extra flics, an AMG back wing, deflector elements at the simulated side air outlets of the back apron, and the diffuser blade, all painted in high-gloss black. Manufactured in the wind tunnel, these components serve to improve the driving features at high speeds.

    The AMG Night package and the AMG Night package II also enrich the dynamic appearance of the “Edition 55” models. The front splitter and the trim elements on the louvers in the outer air intakes, plus the inserts in the AMG side sill panels, the beltline trim strip, the window line trim strip and the outward mirror housings are completed in high-gloss black.

    In addition, there are tailpipe trims in black chrome and heat-insulating dark tinted glass. The louvers in the AMG-specific radiator grille in black chrome and the model badges on the boot lid and wings in high-gloss black complete the special appearance.

    Other distinguishing characteristics of the “Edition 55” exclusive models for the compact class include the paint finish in cosmos black metallic or digital white metallic. The colour scheme of the decals on each side of the car, which sport the traditional AMG badge and suggested AMG rhombus, runs from grey to transparent to match.

    19‑inch AMG cross-spoke forged wheels painted in titanium grey with a high-sheen rim flange and centre cap with “Edition 55” elements round off the powerful complete look. The AMG fuel filler cap in silver chrome with AMG lettering also exhibits great attention to detail.

    The interior is branded by the contrast of black and red. The AMG Performance seats are furnished in two-tone classic red/black leather.

    The AMG Performance steering wheel in DINAMICA microfiber with “Edition 55” badge and black 12 o’clock marking celebrating the 55th birthday of the AMG brand.

    AMG door sill panels with red illuminated AMG lettering and black AMG floor mats manufactured of high-quality velour with red contrasting stitching and “Edition 55” lettering woven in red visibly enrich the special models right down to the footwell.

    The special ambience is rounded off by AMG trim elements in dark brushed aluminium in the “Edition 55” design, with accents in black/red and an AMG emblem. The scope of delivery also includes a customised AMG Indoor Car Cover in elegant black with a silver-coloured AMG emblem at the height of the upper edge of the windscreen.

    With its breathable outer panelling manufactured of tear-resistant synthetic fibre fabric and antistatic inner fabric made of flannel, it protects the car in the garage from dust and scratches.

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