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).
