Race winner and 2012 champion Bruno Spengler, BMW Team Schnitzer BMW M3 DTM
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Hockenheim (DE) - Four wins, three pole positions and finally the long-awaited title: Bruno Spengler (CA) made DTM history in 2012. In an interview, the freshly crowned champion and BMW Team Schnitzer driver speaks about his emotions, the final laps in Hockenheim (DE) and his plans for the coming weeks.
Bruno, how does it feel to be the DTM champion? “To be honest, I still really don’t know how or what I should feel. I am still at sixes and sevens and can hardly believe what has happened.
I am just proud to be the first DTM champion for BMW after the big comeback. This is a dream come true for me. I have come close to winning the Drivers’ Championship a few times already, but it never worked out.
And then I win the title in my first season with BMW. That is simply unbelievable. We have made motorsport history with this triumph.
It will probably take me a few days to fully grasp what BMW Team Schnitzer and the entire BMW Motorsport team have achieved this season.”
How were the final laps in Hockenheim for you? “Honestly, I was really nervous. My heart was going mad and my pulse was up at 180. I kept looking in my rear-view mirror to see where Gary Paffett was, and just hoped I would finally see the chequered flag.
Never in my career have I been so desperate for a race to end as I was in the finale in Hockenheim. When I did then cross the finish line, all the tension was released. I was totally happy and so overjoyed that I sang ‘We are the Champions’.”
What role did BMW Team Schnitzer play in your success? “In motorsport, you never win alone. A championship win is always a success for the entire team. Even out on the track, when I am sat in the car, I never have the feeling I am by myself.
I can feel the support of the whole team. Everyone at BMW Motorsport has made a significant contribution to the success we have enjoyed this season. Even in the final race, when everything was at stake, we had a perfect car again.
BMW Team Schnitzer did a sensational job again – and in a race in which we were obviously feeling the pressure. We wanted to make the most of our opportunity to win the title. We did not make any mistakes, and that is why we deserved to win in the end.”
Can you imagine what awaits you now as champion? “It will certainly be an exciting time. However, I do not see that as stress. What could be nicer than to be asked to do something as the champion.
I have already received a lot of requests for interviews and to appear on TV programmes over the coming weeks. On top of that, I will also spend another three days in Maisach with the winners of the ‘Drive like Bruno’ promotion.
I want everyone to see how enjoyable motor racing is and show how a professional drives. Then I have a few other appointments lined up in Munich.
I am looking forward to everything, as I have worked long and hard to be celebrated as the champion at the end of a series. The fact that this happened in my first year with BMW is really sensational.”
Source: BMW
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