Munich. The 2023 DTM season will see three BMW M4 GT3s competing in the colours of BMW M Motorsport partners. Reigning champion Sheldon van der Linde (RSA) will be defending his title in Shell colours in the #1 car. His new team-mate at Schubert Motorsport, three-time DTM champion René Rast (GER), will adopt the blue RoboMarkets design and retain the number 33. With his new Project 1 team, two-time champion Marco Wittmann (GER) will be sticking with his trademark appearance: the number 11 and the green Schaeffler design. The second driver and the design of the fourth BMW M4 GT3 will be announced by Project 1 at a later date.
Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): “We are delighted to be able to present three of the BMW M4 GT3s competing for Schubert Motorsport and Project 1 in 2023 DTM season in the colours of our BMW M Motorsport partners. So many race appearances would not be possible without their support. Thanks for the many years of fantastic support! It will be really special to see Sheldon van der Linde defending his DTM title, sporting number 1 in the classic Shell colours. The connection between Marco Wittmann and Schaeffler with the ‘Green Machine’ has also developed over the years. René Rast will also adopt the colours of the second Schubert car, and will certainly be an excellent representative for RoboMarkets with all his experience and class as a three-time DTM champion.”
Sheldon van der Linde (#1 BMW M4 GT3, Schubert Motorsport): “Only a short time ago, I could only dream of defending my DTM title in the #1 car. I spent the whole winter considering whether to exchange my number 31, which has always brought me so much luck, for the number 1, but such an opportunity does not come along very often. The #1 is the icing on the cake for my Shell livery. I am extremely proud to be going into my fifth season with Shell, my partner from day one. I cannot begin to imagine competing in any colours other than red and yellow.”
René Rast (#33 BMW M4 GT3, Schubert Motorsport): “Both the BMW M4 GT3 and the colours of my partner RoboMarkets are new to me, but I really like blue and I am looking forward to my new look in the DTM. I will do my best to chalk up some successes for BMW M Motorsport, the Schubert team and my partner. It is fantastic that I am able to race with my number 33 again. It has become my trademark in the DTM over the years.”
Marco Wittmann (#11 BMW M4 GT3, Project 1): “This will be the fifth year of the partnership with Schaeffler and we have become friends during that time. We have grown closer during successful periods and more trying times. The fact that we all come from the same region means that we can identify strongly with one another, the fans and the Schaeffler employees. The number 11 is more than just my racing number. It is a brand and has also become a part of my life. The tattoo on my wrist is proof of that. I am proud to be competing again in the DTM with the #11 ‘Green Machine’.”