After securing 16th on the grid, Marco Wittmann has criticised the current BoP classification of his Schubert BMW and has set his sights on the competition: what particularly bothers him
Following the final qualifying session of the 2026 DTM season at Hockenheim, Schubert BMW driver Marco Wittmann is clearly fed up: the two-time champion will start the season finale from 16th on the grid and will likely have to bury his hopes of a third title for good.
The result was “not at all” what he had envisaged. “We didn’t stand a chance,” says Wittmann, who does not, however, see the reasons for the qualifying debacle as lying with himself, but rather with the current Balance of Performance (BoP). “It was already becoming apparent during yesterday’s race that we lacked pace.”
In the first race on Saturday, the Franconian had finished third, but not because of the speed of his BMW M4 GT3. “We managed to move up the field again through clever driving and accidents involving other drivers,” Wittmann explained to ran.de. “And that’s now been reflected in qualifying.”
“It’s a real shame that we’re so far off the pace in the last race and that they apparently can’t get the BoP right,” the 36-year-old grumbles about the current car classification at Hockenheim, launching a broadside against the competition.
Wittmann rails against the competition’s BoP criticism
“There are others who have been shouting very loudly all year and are now suddenly right at the front week after week,” criticises Wittmann, without pointing the finger at anyone in particular: “I won’t name names, but I think everyone knows what I mean. It is what it is. “
As a reminder: DTM leader Thomas Preining had railed fiercely against the BoP following a disappointing weekend at the Norisring and even threatened to withdraw from the DTM. It was “relatively obvious that this has nothing to do with sport”, the Porsche works driver explained at the time.
By the following race weekend at Oschersleben, these comments had suddenly been forgotten: the Manthey Porsche driver dominated Saturday’s race and was also on the verge of another victory on Sunday. Only a botched pit stop saw him drop back to third place. But from then on, the Austrian was regarded as the top favourite for the title.
Comtoyou Aston Martin driver Nicki Thiim also suspected at the time that there was a link between Preining’s threat to retire and Porsche’s subsequent strength at Oschersleben. “Perhaps I should do the same – quit,” the Dane joked as a result. “Then maybe I’ll be able to shave 50 kilos off the weight here and get more power.”
Wittmann “won’t give up as long as it’s possible”
Ultimately, however, the BoP classifications are part of the game, and Wittmann still intends to give it his all at the finale to somehow bring home that third title. “Anyone who knows me knows I’m a fighter,” he emphasises.
“Of course, it’s a difficult task, because I have to finish first or second and hope the others have a tough race,” explains the Franconian. However, second place would only be enough for him if Grasser’s announced appeal to the FIA were to be successful.
“But I’m a fighter,” says Wittmann. Starting from 16th on the grid, however, he’ll likely be relying on a chaotic race with rain and numerous retirements. “I won’t give up as long as it’s still possible, but with that starting position and our performance, it’ll be tough.”
