The new BMW M4 GT3 is now making its DTM debut: ahead of the season opener in Portimao, former champion Mike Rockenfeller is putting the Munichs under pressure
All signs point to a start in the BMW camp ahead of the start of the 2021 DTM season. The first day of practice in Portimao gives cause for optimism, as Schubert driver Sheldon van der Linde came out on top in the 2nd free practice session (see result). In the day’s standings, his lap of 1:40.807 minutes was enough for second place behind Rosberg-Audi driver Nico Müller.
That’s exactly the kind of performance ex-champion Mike Rockenfeller expects from BMW, who are competing with the brand new M4 GT3 this year. “I think the car is very good in terms of pace,” the former Audi driver is convinced in an interview with the international edition of ‘Motorsport.com’. The German knows what he is talking about.
Rockenfeller has already experienced the BMW M4 GT3 at close quarters, namely at the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. The 38-year-old drove the “All-Star” Cadillac around Jimmie Johnson, Kamui Kobayashi and Jose-Maria Lopez in the top DPi class in both US endurance classics to kick off the 2022 IMSA season.
Based on his experience so far, Rockenfeller expects a lot from the Munich-based carmaker in the very first DTM year with the new GT3 race car: “If they handle the BoP wisely, which I hope they will, they have a very good chance of being very successful. They have to be. It’s a new car.”
“You come in with a new GT3 car, a new development, and you go into your first year, you have good drivers, good teams that have to fight for the championship. Otherwise it’s a disappointment for BMW,” the 2013 DTM champion settles.
BMW M4 GT3 should work anywhere
At first, the new BMW M4 GT3 got off to a bumpy start, but teams are getting more comfortable with the car. In March, Samantha-Tan-Racing took the first race win for the new race car in the 24h Series. Most recently, BMW teams even scored a one-two-three in the NLS Series on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife.
The BMW M4 GT3 is repeatedly described by drivers as a big step forward compared to the discontinued M6 GT3. The working window is generally larger, tyre degradation is lower and the new car also comes around the corners better, according to the basic tenor of BMW racers worldwide.
“It was really important that the car works in all conditions and on every type of track,” emphasises Philipp Eng. “The BMW engineers have done a good job there and have put this car together that not only looks nice, but also performs very well. It’s much easier to drive, even for the amateurs. “
As always in GT3 racing, results also depend on the classification in the Balance of Performance. But in this respect, there seems to be no reason for complaint in Portimao. Van der Linde and his Schubert teammate Eng finished the 2nd Free Practice session in first and third place, the Walkenhorst duo Marco Wittmann (8th) and Esteban Muth (14th) also made it to the front half of the field.
