Photo: BMW

BMW confirm DTM exit for Bruno Spengler

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BMW Motorsport has confirmed that Bruno Spengler will not be part of their DTM programme in 2020. The Canadian will instead move to the IMSA series next year.

“Firstly, I am obviously disappointed that I will no longer be racing in the DTM in 2020,” said Spengler.

“I had a fantastic time for 15 years, during which time the DTM became part of my family. I have been racing in the DTM for almost half of my life.”

Spengler made his DTM debut for Mercedes in 2005 and switched to BMW in 2012, claiming his first DTM title in his first year with the Bavarian manufacturer.

“Very few drivers have had as big an influence on the DTM as Bruno Spengler has in the past 15 years,” said BMW Group Motorsport director Jens Marquardt.

“In winning the title in his first season for BMW in 2012, he achieved something that nobody believed possible at the time. In doing so, he earned a permanent place in the history of BMW Motorsport.”

The Canadian will alongside his IMSA programme for BMW be their reserve and test driver for Formula E.

“This decision was not an easy one for us. However, as we do at the end of every season, we took a very close look at our squad of drivers and are confident that Bruno, with all his experience, can help us make progress in the IMSA series,” said Marquardt.

“He will also be used as a reserve and test driver in Formula E. I am happy that we are able to keep Bruno as a valuable member of the BMW family. We will ensure that he can bid a worthy farewell to BMW fans in the DTM next year.”

Spengler states that he was surprised by the decision of BMW to move him away from the DTM programme.

“Even though it has come as something of a surprise to me that I won’t be contesting my 16th DTM season, I’m looking ahead,” said Spengler.

“I feel right at home in the BMW family, am about to face a new challenge, and am ready to write a new chapter in my career. I know the BMW M8 GTE, BMW Team RLL and some of the circuits in North America. As such, I think I will find my feet quickly there. For me as a Canadian, it will certainly be a highlight to line up at a genuine home race for the first time in a long time, at the race at Mosport in the summer. I will really miss the DTM fans. I am looking forward to saying ‘goodbye’ to them in 2020.”