BMW Scales Back to Two Entries for Rast, Wittmann

BMW has announced a scaled-back presence in the DTM this year, with Schubert Motorsport entering a pair of M4 GT3 EVOs for Rene Rast and Marco Wittmann.

Schubert fielded three cars last year for Rast, Wittmann and Sheldon van der Linde, but no mention was made of the South African driver in Monday’s announcement.

Van der Linde is therefore set to be absent from the DTM for the first time since his 2019 debut as he focuses on his twin LMDh programs for BMW in the FIA World Endurance Championship and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

Schubert will be aiming to replicate its teams’ success of last year as it switches to the latest EVO-spec M4 GT3, while targeting its first drivers’ crown since it took van der Linde to the top spot in the 2022 title race.

BMW M Motorsport’s head of customer racing Bjorn Lellmann said: “In the 2025 DTM season, we are once again strongly positioned with the reigning team champions from Schubert Motorsport and the two DTM stars Rene Rast and Marco Wittmann.

“Additionally, the EVO version of our BMW M4 GT3 has already proved its ability to win in its first races. We have created all the conditions necessary to compete for titles in both the drivers’ and team standings in the upcoming season. That is our clear goal.”

Rast and Wittmann will both be aiming for their first titles of the DTM’s GT3 era, after finishing fourth and 12th respectively in last year’s standings.

Three-time series champion Rast, BMW’s top representative last year, commented: “My goal for the upcoming DTM season is clear: I want to win my fourth drivers’ title.

“Of course, we also want to be at the forefront in the team standings, but ultimately, winning the drivers’ championship is of the highest importance – naturally for me personally, but also for the team.

“I haven’t driven the BMW M4 GT3 EVO yet, but based on everything I’ve heard from my fellow drivers so far, I’m hoping for a leap forward.”

Wittmann, who targets his third title, added: “I am thrilled to be able to start again in the DTM with Schaeffler and the ‘Green Machine’ in 2025. In my second season with Schubert Motorsport, my goal is to fight for podium places and victories.

“If we manage to do this regularly, we can also have a say in the title race. Focusing on two cars certainly helps the team to concentrate its efforts even more.

“Additionally, we want to improve further compared to the past DTM season with the BMW M4 GT3 EVO.”