BMW brought its new M4 DTMs to the Lausitzring for a four-day test in advance of the series’ May 3–5 season opener at Hockenheim. All six of its drivers participated, sharing three cars.
The BMWs ran along with nine Audis and two cars from Aston-Martin, the new entrant in the series this year, replacing Mercedes.
The series’ new four-cylinder turbo engines are more powerful than last year’s V8s. With the new engines and the 2019 cars’ lighter weight, faster lap times are anticipated. DTM’s release on the test notes that, “fans can look forward to the fastest DTM ever in 2019.”
Five drivers who ran with BMW last year are returning for 2019. They are Marco Wittmann, Bruno Spengler, Timo Glock, Philipp Eng, and Joel Eriksson. Nineteen-year-old Sheldon van der Linde from South Africa joins the returning drivers for the new season.
Eriksson, who turned the fastest time for BMW, said, “On the first two days, we had slight issues, but that was solved and everything is looking good and promising. I am actually feeling very comfortable with the car. Everything is quite new for everyone but it’s working fine for me. There are still a few things to improve but that’s the same for everyone. I am feeling positive.”—Brian Morgan
[Photo courtesy BMW Motorsport.]