BMW eyes big sendoff for M3

BMW is optimistic of giving its M3 the perfect sendoff from the DTM this weekend by claiming the two championships still up for grabs.

The manufacturer's leading driver this year, RBM's Augusto Farfus, won last time out at Zandvoort to put BMW back on top in the race for the manufacturers' championship.

Despite Farfus missing out on the drivers' title to Phoenix Audi driver Mike Rockenfeller, BMW motorsport director believes his eight-car line-up has what it takes to retain its makes' crown before the M3 is replaced by the M4 next year.

"We've won at Hockenheim more times than anybody else," said BMW motorsport director Jens Marquardt. "We have fond memories of Bruno Spengler's title success here last year.

"We are in contention for two championships and are well within the race in both competitions. And it would be great to bid farewell to the M3 with a top result befitting of a great car."

BMW, which came from behind to steal last year's title from Audi at the final round, leads the Ingolstadt marque by just eight points in the standings, with 78 up for grabs at Hockenheim. But Audi, thanks largely to the efforts of new champion Rockenfeller and improved recent form from Filipe Albuquerque, has outscored BMW in three of the past four races as Farfus has provided the Bavarian marque's only consistent victory threat.

BMW's leading team in 2013, the RBM team of Farfus and Joey Hand, lies four points behind the Phoenix Audi squad, for which Rockenfeller and Miguel Molina drive.

"We will leave no stone unturned to achieve our aim of the teams' championship," said Phoenix boss Ernst Moser.

Mercedes team HWA and its duo of Christian Vietoris and Robert Wickens make it a three-way title fight, 10 points off the lead and with 43 up for grabs this weekend.