Glock Parts Ways With BMW After Ten-Year Stint

Photo: BMW

Veteran DTM driver Timo Glock will no longer be part of BMW’s factory driver lineup, having contested his final race for the German manufacturer in this weekend’s Italian GT Championship season finale at Mugello.

The 40-year-old German has been dropped from the factory roster, following a ten-year stint.

While primarily contesting DTM for BMW following his switch from Formula 1, Glock also took part in several long-distance endurance races, including the 24 Hours of Spa in 2015, where he teamed with Alex Zanardi and Bruno Spengler in a BMW Z4 GT3.

He also made outings in BMW machinery in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour and Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup.

It’s understood Glock, who made 148 starts in DTM for BMW, was informed of his contract not being renewed last month when he posted a message to social media.

“Thank you BMW Motorsport [for] spending ten years together around the world on the best race tracks you can dream of,” Glock wrote in a post on Instagram.

“I really enjoyed the intense time in DTM with those wonderful Class 1 cars and great wins and podiums.

“One of the highlights for sure was the 24h race at Spa-Francorchamps with Alex Zanardi! One of those Races I will never forget! #forzaalex

“I think everyone remembers the iconic battle against Gary Paffett at Hockenheimring 2018. Everyone who has seen it knows that I am still burning for this sport and always will!

“Now it is time to move on.

“A special thanks goes to [former BMW Motorsport boss] Jens Marquardt who was the key person behind this journey. Thanks to all my BMW Teammates in those ten years. Lots of stories to tell but maybe later… in a book.”

Glock had been competing in the Italian GT Championship this year with BMW Italia Ceccato Racing, while having made a one-off DTM appearance with the team at Imola, where he retired in Race 1 but scored an 11th place finish in Race 2.

“We thank Timo Glock for the fantastic collaboration over the past ten years,” said Head of BMW M Motorsport Andreas Roos.

“We can look back on many shared moments of success and emotion, particularly during our works involvement in the DTM up to 2020.

“Timo impressed with some great victories in that series, including against Gary Paffett at Hockenheim in 2018. His skill and personality have made him an absolute darling of the public, and he was a dominant face of the brand both on and off the track.

“We wish Timo all the best and much success in the future!”

In addition to the previously announced Rene Rast, BMW is known to be bringing on a number of additional new drivers to its factory lineup next year, primarily from Team WRT.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John