BMW M Motorsport strengthens DTM involvement: Schubert and Walkenhorst to race new BMW M4 GT3 17.02.2022: • Four BMW M4 GT3s in the DTM field • Driver line-up: BMW M works drivers Eng, van der Linde and Wittmann and Belgian Muth • Franciscus van Meel, managing director, BMW M GmbH: “DTM is a significant platform that is setting benchmarks, not just

•    Four BMW M4 GT3s in the DTM field


•    Driver line-up: BMW M works drivers Eng, van der Linde and Wittmann and Belgian Muth


•    Franciscus van Meel, managing director, BMW M GmbH: “DTM is a significant platform that is setting benchmarks, not just in sporting terms, but with its entire presence”





Four new BMW M4 GT3s in the DTM, two each for Walkenhorst Motorsport and newcomer Schubert Motorsport © Schubert



A new car, a new team and a strong driver line-up: in the 2022 DTM season, two BMW M Motorsport teams will be racing the new BMW M4 GT3, strengthening the manufacturer’s presence in the race series. The focus is on the newly developed car.


In the season with 16 sprint races, Schubert Motorsport from Oschersleben near Magdeburg and Walkenhorst Motorsport from Melle near Osnabrück will be running two BMW M4 GT3s each. For DTM newcomer Schubert, the two BMW M works drivers Sheldon van der Linde (RSA) and returnee Philipp Eng (AUT) will be racing while two-time DTM champion and works driver Marco Wittmann (GER) remains on board at Walkenhorst and will be joined by Walkenhorst newcomer Esteban Muth (BEL), who will be racing a BMW GT3 car for the first time.


“DTM is a significant platform that is setting benchmarks, not only in sporting terms, but with its entire presence,” says Franciscus van Meel, managing director, BMW M GmbH, emphasizing the full bandwidth of the DTM platform. “We are looking forward to first-class, thrilling racing at great international circuits. At the same time, the DTM platform is also playing a substantial role in our further activities.



In DTM Trophy, the BMW M Motorsport Teams are a strongly represented with the BMW M4 GT4, in the BMW M2 Cup, we are running our own one-make series on the DTM support package and in DTM Classic, we get to see fascinating cars from the BMW M history.” Andreas Roos, head of BMW M Motorsport since 1 February 2022, is looking forward to the new DTM season and the cooperation with the two teams.



“In DTM, we already got to see thrilling GT3 sprint races at the highest level last year and now, we are very happy to watch four new BMW M4 GT3s in action in this series run by two very experienced BMW M Motorsport Teams.”



Benedikt Böhme, managing director of the DTM organisation ITR: “We are extraordinarily delighted with the level of commitment that BMW, our partner for many years, is bringing into DTM this year as well. By close interaction with the manufacturers, we want to make our contribution to ensure that BMW is reaching a wide audience with its diverse involvement on the DTM platform to build its brand.”





Schubert Motorsport and Walkenhorst Motorsport with promising driver line-up



Team owner Henry Walkenhorst is happy and certain of winning with the new car. “Following the positive marks that we were able to make in the 2021 DTM with two race wins and multiple podium finishes, we are certain that we can build on the achievements to date with our new spearhead, the BMW M4 GT3. We are proud to be racing with two cars this year.”



With Walkenhorst Motorsport, Marco Wittmann, DTM champion in the years 2014 and 2016, was in contention for the title last year until the end and eventually ended up in fourth place of the drivers’ standings. New in the Walkenhorst team is Belgian Esteban Muth, only 20 years old, who made his DTM debut  in 2021 and not only impressed the fans with spirited overtaking manoeuvres.



For the experienced GT racing team with team principal Torsten Schubert at the helm, two BMW M works drivers will be in action. Sheldon van der Linde is already embarking on his fourth DTM season with BMW. Philipp Eng raced in the long-standing series from 2018 until 2020 and is returning after a one-year absence.



“Becoming involved in DTM is another milestone for Schubert Motorsport that is filling me and the entire team with great pride. It is one of the world’s most attractive race series and its name has represented professional racing at the highest level ever since,” Torsten Schubert says.



Frederic Elsner, director event & operations, ITR: “I am really delighted that four cars from the BMW brand will now be on the grid. It is making competition even stronger, particularly in the battle for the manufacturers’ title as well. Every one of these four drivers has his quality and there is one thing they have in common: an enormous ambition. Here, first of all, the biggest opponents will definitely be the teammates.”



The 2022 DTM is getting its new season underway at Portimão in Portugal from 29 April until 1 May. Further venues are DEKRA Lausitzring Turn 1, Imola in Italy, Norisring, Nürburgring, Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, Red Bull Ring in Austria and Hockenheimring for the finale. Tickets for all the 16 races of the 2022 DTM are already available online at dtm.com/tickets or from the ticket hotline (+49 1806 99 11 66)






Aline Proll- photos