Marco Wittmann

Marco Wittmann is a German racing driver who has two DTM championship titles in his CV. He was a champion in 2014 and 2016, driving for BMW. Wittmann spent seven seasons in the DTM, scoring fifteen wins from 2013 to 2019.

Earlier in a career, Wittmann spent two seasons in the Formula 3 Euro Series, finishing as a vice-champion for two years in a row (2010 and 2011).

Marco Wittmann

Successful period in karting

Marco Wittmann was born on November 24, 1989, in Furth, Bavaria. When he was 7 years old, Marco started to drive karting and over the years he has competed in many regional events.

In 2005, Wittmann stepped on the international stage and took 5th place in the European Championship. Next year, he won Asia-Pacific Championship and Andrea Margutti Trophy and finished as a runner-up in the German Championship and Italian Open Masters.

Wittmann during his karting days

Formula BMW runner-up

After graduating in karting, Wittmann moved to Formula BMW and finished the season as the world vice-champion. In 2008, while he was competing in European Formula BMW, he was again a runner-up but he was prepared to go to a higher level.

In 2009, Marco debuted in Formula 3 Euro Series, driving for Mucke Motorsport. The beginning wasn’t easy and Wittmann didn't score any points until the last round at Hockenheim where he scored points in both races. At the end of the year, talented German was 16th in standings.

Marco celebrates Formula 3 Euro Series victory

Formula 3 vice-champion for two years in a row

The following two years Marco spent in the same competition, driving for a Signature team and he established himself as one of the best drivers in the series, scoring a total of 6 wins and 15 podium finishes.

In 2010, he was 2nd, losing to Edoardo Mortara, but finishing in front of Valtteri Bottas, Antonio Felix da Costa, Daniel Juncadella and other well-known names. In 2011, Wittmann again finished as a runner-up, this time losing to Roberto Merhi.

Since 2012 Wittmann is BMW factory driver

Wittmann joined BMW in 2013

In 2012, Marco signed a contract with BMW and became a factory driver, but he sat out the whole season, preparing himself for the new challenge.

Next year, Wittmann debuted in DTM championship and was named Rookie of the Year after he finished 8th in the standings. His best results in the #21 BMW M3 DTM was the second place at Red Bull Ring.

Wittmann dominantly won 2014 DTM title

2014 DTM champion

The season of 2014 was the most successful in Marco’s career so far, not only because he won the championship but he did it in a dominant way.

He moved from BMW Team MTEK to BMW Team RMG, driving the #23 BMW M4 DTM and winning four of ten races during the season, at Hockenheimring, Hungaroring, Red Bull Ring, and Nurburgring. He collected 156 points and was 50 points ahead of the second-placed Mattias Ekstrom.

DTM changed its competition format in 2015. The number of races was doubled so Marco had to put a lot of effort in order to defend his crown. He managed to win the race at Zandvoort, he finished 2nd in Moscow and 3rd at Oschersleben which wasn’t enough for another title. Wittmann finished 6th in the standings and was the 2nd best BMW driver.

Marco Wittmann - 2016 DTM champion celebrates with his team

Another DTM trophy in 2016

He stayed with the same team and he drove the same car in 2016. After two thirds of the season, this talented racer topped the standings in one of the toughest seasons in the history of the competition. he kept his nerves calm until the end of the campaign and for the second time was crowned as a DTM champion, only four points ahead of Edoardo Mortara.

Wittmann failed to pick points only twice and had scored three wins, at Red Bull Ring, Moscow Raceway, and Nurburgring. Marco finished 2nd and Zandvoort and in the first race of the Hockenheim finale, and also had a 3rd place at Nurburgring.

Marco Wittmann with his BMW M4 DTM

The best BMW driver between 2017 and 2019

In 2017, his fifth DTM season with BMW, Wittman scored his only victory in the season's finale at Hockenheimring. Prior to that, he was on a podium four times. At the end of the season, he was fifth in the points and the the best among BMW drivers.

He repeated the same in 2018, finishing fourth in the final DTM classification after scoring two wins. He was even better in 2019, scoring four victories to finish third in the points.

Marco Wittmann - double DTM champion

F1 test with Toro Rosso and other racing experience

During his career, Marco Wittmann had also a couple of GT3 appearances, competing in VLN and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

He also raced several times in 24 Hours of Nurburgring while in 2015 he had a test with Toro Rosso Formula 1 team.

Photo: marco-wittmann.com dtm.com