After a four-week summer break, the DTM returns to action in Moscow (RU). The BMW teams will race at the “Moscow Raceway” from 28th to 30th August. This is the touring car series’ third event of the season outside Germany. Races 11 and 12, which will take place on the outskirts of the Russian capital, form the third and final leg of the DTM’s tour of Europe, following previous rounds in Zandvoort (NL) and Spielberg (AT).
Like last year, the races will be held on the 3.931-kilometre track at the “Moscow Raceway”. This variant of the ultra-modern facility to the northwest of Moscow offers a fascinating mixture of fast and slow corners, as well as a long straight. The “Moscow Raceway” made its first appearance on the DTM calendar in 2013. Augusto Farfus (BR) finished third on the shorter 2.555-kilometre variant of the circuit to take his place on the podium as the touring car series made its debut in Russia. When the DTM returned to Moscow last year, Maxime Martin (BE) claimed his maiden victory in the series. Bruno Spengler (CA) came home second to complete BMW’s 16th one-two in the DTM. Victory saw Martin make history, as he became the first Belgian to win a race in this touring car series. This success was also instrumental in him being crowned “Rookie of the Year” at the end of the season.
The summer break started later for three BMW Motorsport drivers. Farfus, rookie Tom Blomqvist (GB) and reigning DTM champion Marco Wittmann (DE) completed a two-day test after the race weekend in Spielberg, which also marked the halfway point in the season. The other manufacturers were also in action at the Red Bull Ring (AT). The BMW drivers completed a comprehensive programme of testing. The engineers’ main focus in Spielberg was on the set-up of the BMW M4 DTM.
BMW Motorsport has acknowledged the decision of the DMSB court of appeal regarding the disqualification of Tom Blomqvist from the second race at the Norisring (DE). BMW Motorsport will not lodge another appeal and is now looking ahead.
ARD broadcasts every DTM race live. Coverage of the first race in Moscow gets underway at 15:15 on Saturday. The countdown to the second race of the weekend begins at 15:00 on Sunday.