Marco Wittmann took his 21st DTM victory on Saturday at the Sachsenring, converting his first pole position of the season into BMW M Motorsport’s first ever win at the German circuit. A recovery drive from 19th to sixth on Sunday lifted the two-time champion to third in the drivers’ standings. He arrives at the Hockenheim finale 24 points behind the championship leader, with the title still mathematically within reach.

Marco Wittmann has given BMW M Motorsport a result the brand had never managed at the Sachsenring. Driving the #11 Schaeffler BMW M4 GT3 EVO for Schubert Motorsport, the German led Saturday’s race from pole to flag for the 21st DTM win of his career — and the first for BMW at a track where the manufacturer has historically struggled.

A surprise pole on unfavourable ground

The 36-year-old topped Saturday morning’s qualifying session to claim his first pole of the season, an outcome he described as unexpected at this particular circuit. Teammate Kelvin van der Linde lined up fourth in the #3 Shell BMW M4 GT3 EVO and held that position to the finish, completing a strong opening day for Schubert Motorsport.

The victory was Wittmann’s second in a row, following his 20th DTM triumph at the Nürburgring four weeks earlier.

“The pole position and the victory were completely unexpected for us at this circuit,” Wittmann said. “When you consider how far behind we were at one stage during the season, everything that comes now is a bonus.”

Wet qualifying, then a charge through the field

Sunday began far less comfortably. Rain during qualifying left van der Linde seventh on the grid and Wittmann down in 19th. Both drivers recovered ground in the race: Wittmann moved into the top ten early and ultimately gained 13 places to finish sixth.

Van der Linde’s day ended differently. Running fifth and within range of the podium, the South African was hit by a rival at a safety car restart shortly before the end and was forced to retire, classified 18th. It was his seventh non-finish in 14 races this season.

What it means for the finale

Wittmann’s points haul moved him to third in the drivers’ standings, 24 points off the championship leader ahead of the season finale at the Hockenheimring. Schubert Motorsport also sits third in the teams’ classification.

BMW M Motorsport head Andreas Roos called the Sunday drive a “sensational recovery” and said the team intends to “attack with everything we have” at Hockenheim. Team principal Torsten Schubert struck a similar note while acknowledging the cost of van der Linde’s retirement: “Mathematically, everything is still possible.”

Van der Linde, for his part, pointed to pace rather than luck. “Until the accident, however, it was a strong race. We had the pace to fight for the podium,” he said.

Facts: BMW M4 GT3 EVO at the Sachsenring

  • Driver: Marco Wittmann, #11 Schaeffler BMW M4 GT3 EVO (Schubert Motorsport)
  • Race 1: 1st place, from pole position
  • Race 2: 6th place, from 19th on the grid
  • Career DTM wins: 21
  • DTM titles: 2 (2014, 2016)
  • Teammate: Kelvin van der Linde, #3 Shell BMW M4 GT3 EVO — 4th and 18th
  • Standings: 3rd in the drivers’ championship, 24 points behind the leader

The DTM season concludes at the Hockenheimring.

Source: www.press.bmwgroup.com