With the Hungaroring being the setting for the penultimate two races of the 2016 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season this weekend, points leader Marco Wittmann is looking forward to going for a second drivers’ title in three years, after a consistent campaign with Team RMG.
At present, he is 33 points ahead of chief rival Edoardo Mortara, with the pair each having taken three wins so far, but there is a good chance that the Fürth-based driver can secure the title this weekend.
All eight BMW DTM drivers attended the traditional BMW Wiesn Sport event, a part of Oktoberfest, held not far from the brand’s base in Munich, which the 26-year-old said was good for him to be at his peak before heading back to the race track.
“It is a particularly nice opportunity before a race weekend to switch off a bit, and recharge your batteries,” explained Wittmann, who took pole position and the win at the Hungaroring two years ago, en route to winning his first title.
“I think it is great to return to Budapest after a year away. However, a lot has changed out on the track since the last time we raced there. For example, there is a new surface. That will be a challenge for all the drivers.”
If Wittmann has a lead of at least 50 points after both races in Hungary, he will become champion elect, and the first driver to have taken two drivers’ titles in the current line-up, since Timo Scheider’s back-to-back efforts in 2008 and 2009 for Audi.