As a reward for securing the 2014 DTM Championship with BMW, Marco Wittmann will fulfil a lifetimes ambition and test a Formula 1 car with the Scuderia Toro Rosso team.
BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt announced the test at the same time that Wittmann was confirmed in a long-term contract with BMW, as well as BMW releasing the ‘BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition’ coupe car in his honour.
“Marco Wittmann has an extraordinary season behind him, in which he has given BMW Motorsport an awful lot of pleasure,” said Marquardt. “It is now our turn to reward him for his efforts.
“The contract renewal for the coming season is a logical step for us, as he has consistently impressed us in the three years he has been working with us within the DTM – both on and off the track. For this reason, BMW M GmbH has come up with something very special.
“I am delighted that we can also make his childhood dream come true with the Formula One test. Thanks to the relationship we enjoy with our premium partner Red Bull, it was possible for us to organise a test drive in the Toro Rosso.
“We are excited to see how he fares in this car – and are then looking forward to more top-class performances from Marco in the BMW M4 DTM.”
Dr Friedrich Nitschke, the Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW M GmbH said the new coupe M4 being developed in Wittmann’s honour will be the new centrepiece of the range, with only 23 being made reflecting the young German’s car number.
“The production version of the BMW M4 Coupe is the new centrepiece in our range,” said Nitschke. “We could obviously not have hoped for anything better than for Marco Wittmann to win the BMW M4 DTM’s very first race and to end the season as the champion in the drivers’ and team standings. You cannot get more emphatic proof of the performance of our cars.
“Therefore, it is a pleasure for us to recognise Marco Wittmann’s performances by launching a BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition in the colours of his Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM. The Champion Edition will be built in a limited run of 23 units, reflecting Wittmann’s car number – a very special memento of a very special season.”
Wittmann took four victories in a dominant season in the DTM, winning at Hockenheim, Hungaroring, the Red Bull Ring and the Nurburgring.
