BMW is gearing up for its first test alongside rivals with its 2012 DTM car, which will take to an open track for the first time next week.
The M3 DTM, which with the manufacturer will return to the championship next year, will join Audi and Mercedes at the Lausitz circuit on Monday and Tuesday. Andy Priaulx and Augusto Farfus, who had already tested the car, will be joined by Jorg Muller and Dirk Muller, who will also get behind the wheel of the BMW. All three manufacturers will be testing new-for-2012 machinery.
"At the Lausitzring, we will be intensifying our test program with what are now three BMW M3 DTM cars. We hope we can make good progress again, just as we did at the previous tests," said BMW motorsport boss Jens Marquardt. "We are obviously also looking forward to meeting our direct rivals. However, it is too early to class it as a first test of strength. The preparation time with the new cars has been too short for that.
"It will, however, be interesting to watch all the cars on the track and see how the times develop. We are also looking forward to getting feedback from Jorg and Dirk, who will be gaining their first experience with our DTM car."