WALKENHORST MOTORSPORT AND SCHUBERT MOTORSPORT SET TO RACE THE NEW BMW M4 GT3 IN THE DTM
Walkenhorst Motorsport and Schubert Motorsport are the two BMW M Motorsport teams which will compete with the new BMW M4 GT3 in the 2022 DTM season. They will run a total of four cars, with the three BMW M Motorsport works drivers Marco Wittmann (GER), Sheldon van der Linde (RSA) and Philipp Eng (AUT) among those at the wheel. The season kicks off with the opening weekend from 29th April to 1st May at Portimão, Portugal.
Walkenhorst Motorsport will contest its second season in the DTM in 2022. The team from Melle (GER) started last year with a BMW M6 GT3, claiming two victories and a total of five podiums with two-time DTM champion Wittmann. Walkenhorst Motorsport now competes with two new BMW M4 GT3s, with Wittmann again behind the wheel. The second car will be driven by Walkenhorst driver Esteban Muth (BEL).
Schubert Motorsport has also been running BMW M Motorsport race cars in various international championships for many years. The Oschersleben (GER) team is now set for its DTM debut with two BMW M4 GT3s. In van der Linde and Eng, Schubert Motorsport also has two drivers with a wealth of DTM and GT3 experience in the cockpit.
Quotes.
Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH: “The DTM is an important platform, which sets benchmarks – not only in terms of the actual racing, but with its overall presence. The DTM provides a perfect stage for our new BMW M4 GT3 and our BMW M Motorsport teams, Walkenhorst Motorsport and Schubert Motorsport. With these two strong and renowned teams, along with our three works drivers Marco Wittmann, Sheldon van der Linde and Philipp Eng, the BMW M Motorsport family is superbly positioned ahead of the 2022 DTM season. We are looking forward to top-class, captivating racing at some fantastic international racetracks. At the same time, the DTM platform also plays a key role in our other activities. In the DTM Trophy, the BMW M Motorsport teams are strongly represented with the BMW M4 GT4. In the BMW M2 Cup, we are taking our own one-make cup onto the track within the framework of the DTM, and in the DTM Classic, we will witness fascinating vehicles from BMW M history. We are celebrating the 50th birthday of BMW M GmbH this year, and our history is closely linked to the DTM so we are planning to mark our 50th anniversary with various special events and activities within the DTM environment. We are already really looking forward to the start of a great 2022 season.”
Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport: “Last year, we witnessed thrilling GT3 racing of the highest standard in the DTM, and we are now excited to see four new BMW M4 GT3s in action in this series in the hands of two very experienced BMW M Motorsport teams. Walkenhorst Motorsport is expanding its involvement in the DTM from one to two cars in the coming season. In doing so, they have set a course to back up the success they have enjoyed so far, together with BMW M Motorsport works driver Marco Wittmann and newcomer Esteban Muth. Schubert Motorsport is also a well-known team on the international racing scene, and it is fantastic to see the team expand its activities to include the DTM. In Sheldon van der Linde and Philipp Eng, we are providing two BMW M Motorsport works drivers who, like Wittmann, are very familiar with the DTM, its environment and the procedures. We are looking forward to an exciting 2022 DTM season with Walkenhorst Motorsport, Schubert Motorsport and the new BMW M4 GT3!”
Henry Walkenhorst, Team Principal Walkenhorst Motorsport: “We are delighted to be able to confirm our involvement in the DTM and the DTM Trophy alongside BMW for the coming years. After the positive impact we made in 2021, with two race wins and several podium finishes, we are confident that we can back up that success with our new spearhead, the BMW M4 GT3. We are proud to line up with two cars this year. With Mega-Marco and Overtaker-Esteban, we have found the perfect combination for our team. The faith being put in us by BMW and our sponsors motivates the whole team to do everything in its power to achieve the big goal. We are looking forward to the 2022 DTM, hopefully with plenty of fans at the circuit.”
Torsten Schubert, Team Principal Schubert Motorsport: “Entering the DTM is another milestone for Schubert Motorsport, and one which I, and the whole team, are very proud. It is one of the most attractive racing series in the world, and its name has always been synonymous with professional racing of the highest standard. The attributes required match our personal approach, with which we have been competing at the racetracks of this world for more than two decades. Since I first watched the DTM in Wunstorf almost 30 years ago, I have been following the series more intensely all the time. The series reinvented itself last year and set course for an exciting future. The collaboration with the teams is very close and we would obviously have liked to have been there from the outset. We are pleased to now be part of DTM and to take this path together with our long-term partner BMW M Motorsport.”
Marco Wittmann, #11 BMW M4 GT3, Walkenhorst Motorsport: “It is great to be a part of Walkenhorst Motorsport again, and to compete in the DTM. As I have always raced in the DTM since 2013, I am very much looking forward to the challenge. Last year, we found our feet well as a new team, and in the new GT3 format. We enjoyed some real highs, claimed two victories with the BMW M6 GT3, and were in contention for the title until shortly before the end of the season. In the end, we finished fourth overall. We are now looking to build on that success in 2022, especially in the knowledge that we race with the new BMW M4 GT3 this year. I am looking forward to appearing with the guys and girls at Walkenhorst Motorsport again, and doing battle for victories and podiums. Perhaps we can have a big say at the very top of the championship. I can hardly wait for the tests and the first race at Portimão.”
Esteban Muth, #10 BMW M4 GT3, Walkenhorst Motorsport: “I am extremely happy to join Walkenhorst Motorsport this year. It will be great with them; I know the team quite well from last year. They are very professional and they have been in the championship game for quite a long time with Marco so it is going to be nice; I am going to learn so much from him and the team. I am going to work hard to get to the top and I think, with Marco it’s for sure possible. He has always been nice to me so I think he is going to help me a lot. I want to make it a strong season with the BMW M4 GT3. I hope to get some podiums and try to be at the front all the time. That would be the goal.”
Philipp Eng, #25 BMW M4 GT3, Schubert Motorsport: “After my three years in the Class One era, I am looking forward to racing in the DTM again. I followed every qualifying session and every race last year. I was always up to speed and chatted regularly to my team-mates. The ITR did a super job with such a large field in the first year after Class One, and I am certain that we will again see a lot of good drivers and very strong teams on the grid this year. The DTM quite simply has a crazy charisma about it, and I am pleased to be back – especially with our new BMW M4 GT3. I am particularly thrilled to be driving for Schubert Motorsport. We have never worked together at races in the past, but I know the team very well. I also have a super relationship with Sheldon van der Linde, both on and off the track. In our two years as DTM team-mates, we always chatted to and helped each other wherever possible. We have a very sound basis, and I am looking forward to finally going racing.”
Sheldon van der Linde, #31 BMW M4 GT3, Schubert Motorsport: “I can’t wait to start my fourth year in DTM. I have celebrated a lot of career highlights over the last three years which I hope I can build on this year. I am really looking forward to start working with Schubert Motorsport and my great friend and team mate from the Class One days, Philipp Eng, who I greatly respect as a driver and a person. I am pretty sure we will have a lot of fun together and at the same time work closely with the team to help them acclimatize to this new championship as quickly and efficiently as possible. They are a super passionate group of guys and girls that I’ve already had the honour of getting to know for one race in ADAC GT Masters. That has perfectly set the tone for what’s to come with them in DTM!”
Source. BMW
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