The Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters newest polesitter and race winner Maxime Martin says that he “can’t quite believe” his first win in the series, after leading a BMW 1-2 at the Moscow Raceway on Sunday.
The Belgian former GT driver made his début in the German series at the start of 2014, having previously been BMW’s test and reserve driver in 2013. The 28-year-old then went on to secure pole position and his first-ever DTM win at the Moscow Raceway in only his fifth event in the championship.
“I can’t quite believe it yet, it is simply incredible,” said a delighted Martin. “To drive in the DTM was always a dream of mine. As I have never driven single-seater cars, I never paid much attention to Formula One. Instead, I always wanted to race in this series. And now here I am after five races, with a first pole position and maiden win to my name. Incredible!”
Martin hailed his Team RMG outfit for their effort in his first win. The result means that the Niederzissen-based team have now won three out of the five races in the first half of the season, with Martin’s team-mate Marco Wittmann leading the title race.
“I would like to thank everyone at BMW Team RMG,” added Martin. “The pit stop was awesome and the strategy was spot on. The team and, of course, everyone at BMW Motorsport really did a fantastic job.”
BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt hailed an “unbeatable” Martin at the Russian race track, which lifts the Belgian to sixth in the driver’s championship, 37 points adrift of leader Wittmann.
“That was a fantastic race for us – the most successful of the season so far,” said Marquardt. “Maxime Martin produced a dominant display and a magnificent race against a great backdrop and in only his fifth race in the DTM. He was simply unbeatable this weekend.
“Bruno Spengler also put in a very strong performance to finish just behind him. Despite the fact that it was, at times, hard to keep track of what was going on, this one-two was never in doubt.”
Marquardt and the BMW marque will now turn their focus to the Red Bull Ring on the 2nd and 3rd August – after first watching the German football team play in the final of the FIFA World Cup.
“We once again leave Moscow very happy and are now looking forward to Spielberg – and we obviously have our fingers crossed for the German national team tonight,” added Marquardt.