Hand shares a laugh with new DTM teammate Augusto Farfus while testing in Spain last month - Photo Credit: BMW AG
American driver Joey Hand will compete in the DTM next year for BMW. The move to Europe comes after the 32-year-old won the American Le Mans Series crown in the GTE class for BMW this season.
Hand is the fifth driver to be announced in BMW's six-car lineup for its DTM return in 2012. He joins long term BMW pilots Augusto Farfus and Andy Priaulx, as well as top DTM racers Bruno Spengler and Martin Tomczyk, who switch from Mercedes and Audi. Hand tested the BMW M3 DTM in Monteblanco in Spain in mid-November.
As well as his ALMS success in 2011, Hand also won the Daytona 24 Hours in a BMW-powered Riley and made his Le Mans 24 Hours debut, scoring a podium in the GTE-Pro class. After competing in karting and later the Atlantic Championship in North America, Hand began his BMW association in 2004 when he raced in Formula BMW USA as well as the GT class of Grand-Am.
“I am really looking forward to my new challenge in the DTM, and thank BMW sincerely for the company's confidence in me,” said Hand.
“I immediately enjoyed the BMW M3 DTM. Its downforce and carbon brakes are extremely impressive. I know some of the team members from the past, and was able to acquaint myself with the others in Monteblanco. Now I am looking forward to our close teamwork in future.”
BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt added: “Joey has been a member of the BMW family for many years, and we are extremely pleased that he will now form part of our DTM project.
“His past successes have impressively underscored his skills set, and during the test in Monteblanco with the BMW M3 DTM he immediately proved to be very fast. We are convinced the addition of Joey to our line-up will substantially strengthen our project. In addition, his character fits into our team perfectly.”
