Why did Bruno Spengler announce his departure from BMW so soon after being appointed head of the junior program? What’s next for the DTM legend?
This is unexpected: Bruno Spengler is leaving BMW at the end of 2024 after 13 years! And this despite the fact that the 41-year-old was only announced as head of the new junior program three weeks ago. This suggests a sudden departure. But what is the reason for the separation?
Spengler left Munich “at his own request” – as BMW announced in a press release. According to the release, the 2012 DTM champion received a spectacular offer from another carmaker that he couldn’t refuse.
Where is Spengler headed? “It’s still too early, so I can’t say more about my future yet,” “But what I can say is: It will definitely be good!”
Hot rumors about Spengler’s new professional home
According to rumors in motorsport circles, he has signed a multi-year contract with a brand that builds great sports cars but currently has no GT3 car in its portfolio. In addition, there is likely to be a connection to a German manufacturer.
All of this would apply to the luxury brand Bugatti, in which Porsche also has a stake through the Rimac Group. In addition, the French manufacturer is based in Alsace, where Spengler also lives. But all of this is pure speculation. The French-Canadian does not want to create any facts until the new year.
But one thing is clear: his new role as development driver and brand ambassador at Arnold NextG, where Spengler was presented on December 3 and is to further develop the electronic steering, has nothing to do with his departure from BMW. All of this was discussed with his previous employer. And Spengler is also allowed to participate in Arnold NextG in his new role.
Spengler: “It wasn’t an easy decision for me”
Spengler makes it clear that saying goodbye to BMW was not easy for him. “It wasn’t an easy decision for me to leave the BMW M Motorsport family, but I’m at a point in my career where a new challenge with a long-term perspective was important to me. That’s why I decided to take this step,” he explains.
Which, however, is not comparable with that of his new employer. In Munich, they were surprised by the decision of the veteran, but the separation was amicable and without bad blood. This is also shown by the statement of his previous boss.
“In Bruno Spengler, we are losing a legend in the history of BMW M Motorsport,” says BMW Head of Motorsport Andreas Roos, who wishes him all the best. “I still remember well competing against him in the DTM at the time, when he was driving for Audi. Since I joined BMW M Motorsport, I have come to know him as an extremely pleasant and valuable member of the BMW M Motorsport family, far beyond the world of racing.”
Spengler thanks Lamm and the Schnitzer family
Apart from the legendary DTM title with the BMW Team Schnitzer in the comeback year 2012, Spengler took a total of 16 DTM victories, 18 poles and 51 podium finishes. In his 195 DTM races, he initially raced for Mercedes from 2005 to 2011 and for BMW from 2012 to 2019. He finished second in both the 2015 Daytona 24 Hours and the 2016 Sebring 12 Hours.
His most recent success with BMW was the title win in the Italian GT Championship in an M4 GT3 with Jens Klingmann in 2023. “I would like to thank the entire BMW M Motorsport family, all the engineers and mechanics for the past 13 years,” said Spengler, who is also feeling a little wistful as he prepares to leave. ”I have had the chance to drive an incredible number of fantastic racing cars all over the world – it has been a great time.”
“My very special thanks go to former BMW board member Dr. Klaus Draeger, who gave me a lot of support in my early years at BMW M Motorsport, and to Charly Lamm and the entire Schnitzer family, with whom I won the DTM title in 2012 and have enjoyed many fantastic years together,” adds the crowd favorite.
