Marco Wittmann/Philipp Eng: “We can still achieve a lot”

Philipp Eng from Salzburg won last year (with Dries Vanthoor) on this classic, old-school circuit. However, he adds: “Last year it was a sprint race; this year, for the first time, it’s an endurance race. That makes a big difference. On paper, we’re in a good position, but you have to bear in mind that last year there were five yellow flag periods; I expect there to be many more on Sunday. The M Hybrid V8 is fast; we should be able to finish in the top five. And if we’re a bit lucky during the neutralisations, we might even do better.”

As for the championship standings, Eng “doesn’t expect much more. We got off to a bad start in the two longest races at Daytona and Sebring, which meant we were behind right from the start. Last year we were right up there from the off and held our own among the frontrunners. This year, it’ll be difficult to make up ground in the final three races.”

It’s interesting that BMW made a stronger start in the IMSA than in the WEC, but is now trailing in America whilst competing for the title in the WEC. Eng: “It would be nice if we could be in the mix in both programmes. Marco and I have had quite a bit of bad luck this year. I messed up at Long Beach, which cost us a lot of points. We were on the podium at Laguna Seca, but Watkins Glen proved very difficult again. I don’t really have an explanation for it, though.”

Marco Wittmann sees it the same way: “Luck in racing has really rarely been on our side. BMW secured some top finishes at the start of the LMDh programme in IMSA; we were really quick and right up there at the front then. At the moment, our performances are too inconsistent.”

Switching between two different race cars isn’t a problem for the Fürth-based driver: “Switching between the GT3 and the prototype is now routine. With the tests and free practice sessions, you’re back in the swing of things quickly. Switching from the M Hybrid V8 to the GT3 M4 is even easier, because with ABS in the GT3 you reach the limit much faster. The other way round is a bit trickier, but after a few laps everything falls into place.”

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Wittmann’s take on the DTM

Wittmann is already able to take the DTM controversy over car classification in his stride with a touch of humour: “What controversy?”, he says with a smile. He adds: “When I’m here in the IMSA, what happened previously in the DTM is forgotten. I don’t want to go into the weekend feeling frustrated or in a bad mood; that wouldn’t be fair on Philipp and the team either. But of course, what’s currently happening in the DTM isn’t satisfactory for us. When you spend three weekends just tagging along with no chance of a top finish, it’s naturally a strain. My gap to the top was once seven points; now it’s 54…”

Yet hope is not entirely lost for the Schubert driver: “The Nürburgring is a circuit that suits us rather well, so I’m feeling a little more confident. But a one-two like Thiim’s in Nuremberg – or, almost, Preining’s in Oschersleben – is certainly out of the question. Mathematically, everything is still up for grabs; a lot can happen in the last six races. But you have to remain realistic – a lot would have to go our way for us to be in the mix at the front on our own merits. A top-five finish should be possible; anything more will be difficult. But as we’ve seen with Nicki (Thiim), things can go from being the dominant force to lagging behind very quickly by the next race weekend. It’s actually a bit sad that you see that sort of thing in the DTM. Nothing is predictable.”

Incidentally, the BMW contracts for Wittmann (works driver since 2012) and Eng (since 2016) are due to expire this year. There’s already talk of contract extensions. Wittmann: “I think the IMSA is a strong championship. All the flying is demanding, mind you, but the racing here is cool.” And Eng, who has been racing regularly in the US since 2018, is a fan of America anyway.