Marco Wittmann looking to settle his second DTM title at Hockenheim

BMW Motorsport driver Marco Wittmann heads to this weekend’s season finale as points leader in the drivers’ table, and is the firm favourite to win his second crown in the series.

Wittmann has achieved three victories so far this season, one less than his closest rival Edoardo Mortara, and travels to Hockenheim with a 14-point advantage over the Italian, after being excluded from Sunday’s race in Budapest.

The Team RMG driver would become the youngest ever two-time champion in the DTM should he prevail at the Baden Wüttemberg track. Wittmann has scored points in 13 out of the 16 races held so far this season, and is confident ahead of the weekend.

“It feels good heading to the final two races of the season at Hockenheim and still being in with a chance of winning the title. That shows we have done a good job throughout the year. Now we need to approach the season finale with a cool head and try to keep out of any scuffles.”

BMW Motorsport chose to not appeal Wittmann’s exclusion so the title would be settled on the track this weekend. The Bavarian manufacturer trails Audi Sport by 37 points in the manufacturers’ standings, with the M4 DTMs the lightest cars on track this weekend with a base weight of 1,112.5kg.

Jens Marquardt, BMW Motorsport director, is prepared for a competitive weekend: “After we decided, in the best interests of the sport, not to take Marco’s exclusion in Hungary to the court of appeal, we will do everything we can to make sure he brings home his advantage and claims the title for the second time. Considering his performances this season, he would deserve the title without any doubt. The 2016 DTM is characterised by the equality of all the individual packages that we haven’t seen often, and I’m sure that the finale will also provide plenty of drama.”