Photo: BMW

BMW Schnitzer aims to begin title defence at Hockenheim

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Bruno Spengler is aiming to prove his 2013 DTM championship was no fluke as he seeks to begin his title defence at Hockenheim next weekend.

Spengler moved from Mercedes to BMW for 2012, which marked the Bavarian marque’s return to the series after a 20-year hiatus. Despite trailing Gary Paffett by three points going into the Hockenheim season finale, Spengler took his maiden title by four points with the BMW Schnitzer outfit.

“Lining up with the number 1 on the M3 is a very special feeling,” said Spengler.

“I am highly motivated and out to prove I am a worthy champion.”

“It’s always absolutely great fun to drive at the Hockenheimring,” he continued. “It’s one of my favourite circuits and the opening race will be very emotional for me as this is where I secured my first DTM title last season.”

Schnitzer team principal Charly Lamm also believes Spengler’s champion status as well as retaining Dirk Werner in the other M3 for a second consecutive season, will give the team an advantage over its rivals on the eve of the new season.

“It is important that in Bruno Spengler and Dirk Werner, we have the same drivers in the team as we did during the successful 2012 season, and hopefully having that number 1 on his car will inspire Bruno to be even quicker.

“This continuity is beneficial to us as the combination of Bruno’s DTM experience and the breath of fresh air that Dirk brought to the table as a rookie worked perfectly from the word go in 2012.

Furthermore, he lines up with far more experience in his second season. These are all good signs.”

Werner is also confident ahead of 2013 and is hoping for a good Hockenheim due to some good performances around the circuit in his 2012 rookie season.

“I really like the Hockenheimring and I fared very well at this circuit last season,” he said.

“I qualified third at the first round of 2012, and finished fifth in the final race to score valuable points towards the team and manufacturers’ championship.

However, this definitely does not make me a Hockenheim expert as other drivers in the field have contested far more races here than I have.

In order to challenge at the front of the field, everything must come together on the race weekend, but I am obviously hoping for a good result.”