Marco Wittmann: The F1 test, “a dream come true”

DTM champion Marco Wittmann, 24 years old, admitted in the columns of Crash.net that he did not expect to be able to do a test with Toro Rosso as a reward for his title in the German Touring Car Championship.

This is a gift from BMW to its “surprise” driver, whose talent revealed this season is praised by everyone: « The fact that Marco is already so consistent and fast in his second season is a great success, » states Jens Marquardt, the director of BMW Motorsport.

Marco Wittmann led the DTM standings for a large part of the season; the Fürth native achieved 4 wins and 3 pole positions. His efforts were rewarded after the last race of the season when BMW announced an F1 test for the German driver: “I found out about it at the team party after the finale in Hockenheim, it’s BMW Motorsport that organized the F1 test. It’s another childhood dream come true for me, and it’s BMW that made it possible, it’s incredible,” rejoiced Marco Wittmann.

Marquardt is just as happy: “I am thrilled that we can fulfill his childhood dream with a Formula 1 test. It’s thanks to the good relationship we have with our partner Red Bull that we were able to arrange a test with Toro Rosso. We are eager to see what he will achieve behind the wheel.”

For now, no date has been communicated for his test at Toro Rosso, let alone the location. Despite this, Marco Wittmann remains realistic about his slim chances of entering F1. Toro Rosso has confirmed the young Dutch driver Max Verstappen as the main driver for 2015 but has yet to confirm his teammate. For now, the available seat is expected to be contested between Jean-Eric Vergne, Alex Lynn, Pierre Gasly, and Carlos Sainz Jr.

For his part, Wittmann should spend another year in DTM to defend his title: « I can’t say how proud and happy I am to be part of the BMW family. Therefore, there is currently talk of renewing my contract. I am looking forward to staying in DTM for the coming years » he explains.

« I am sure it will take some time for me to fully understand what my team and I have achieved this season, but these last few days and weeks have been an absolute pleasure. » Wittmann is crowned in a second-tier team against 7 former champions and renowned drivers, such as former F1 driver Timo Glock and Formula Renault 3.5 champion Robert Wickens. « I have a lot to do, this should continue with many public appointments in the near future, so I don’t think I will find the time to really look back and reminisce about the past season. I won my first DTM race five months ago and now I am here as the new champion. Sometimes dreams come true » he concludes.