BMW Motorsport has allocated its six factory DTM Series drivers between the Team RBM, Team RMG and Team RMR squads ahead of next month’s official pre-season test at Monza.
The Bavarian marque kept four of its six drivers from 2019, with two new additions in the form of Audi Sport defector Jonathan Aberdein and ex-Mercedes-Benz DTM returnee Lucas Auer; replacing Joel Eriksson and the IMSA-bound Bruno Spengler.
Aberdein and Auer have been allocated to Teams RBM and RMG respectively, but will share a garage under the RMR banner – and will have their points attributed towards the latter.
The RMR crew will be formed by members from the main two teams.
Two-time champion Marco Wittmann and ex-Formula 1 driver Timo Glock will stay at Stefan Reinhold‘s RMG team, looking to improve on the five wins, courtesy of Wittmann and Spengler, it scored last year.
Sheldon van der Linde and Philipp Eng have also retained their team from 2019, continuing under the guidance of team boss Bart Mampaey at Team RBM.
Robert Kubica is a standalone driver for returning privateer team ART Grand Prix – formerly with Mercedes – in a customer-run M4 DTM car.
BMW made the decision to run a customer team to aid the DTM in recovering field numbers after the loss of the four-car R-Motorsport/Aston Martin setup last month.
Kubica’s personal sponsor, PKN Orlen, is reportedly financing the operation, as well as appearing heavily on Alfa Romeo Racing‘s new-for-2020 F1 car – which the Pole has been testing at the Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya this week in his role as reserve driver.
BMW motorsport boss Jens Marquardt said that he is happy with the balance of experience and new talent in the team, believing that BMW will work as a closer unit this year after a thorough investigation into a disappointing ’19 campaign.
“When allocating our drivers to the two teams, it was important to find the right combination of continuity, change, competition and teamwork,” said Marquardt.
“The cooperation between our four established drivers and their teams worked well last year.
“Each team now receives one of our two newcomers. That gives us the desired effect.
“What matters here is the output – in other words, that we form a strong team with the drivers, BMW Team RMG and BMW Team RBM, and our engineers.
“All things considered, this team will work together more closely than in previous years.
“That will be one of the key factors in any sporting success this season.”
BMW conducted a private test at Vallelunga last week, with Eng and Glock completing 460 laps over three days under the general M Motorsport name in an updated M4 DTM.
