Marco Wittmann Bio
Marco Wittmann (born 24 November 1989) is a German professional racing driver who serves as a works driver for BMW Motorsport. Currently residing in Markt Erlbach, Germany, he is best known for being a two-time champion of the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM), securing titles in 2014 and 2016. Over the course of his career, he has competed across a wide range of categories, including Formula BMW ADAC, Formula BMW Europe, the Formula 3 Euro Series, the DTM, the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup, and the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Beyond his two DTM crowns, Wittmann has built a reputation as one of BMW’s most versatile and reliable factory drivers, balancing single-seater racing, GT3 machinery, and endurance prototypes throughout his career. He currently drives the No. 11 BMW for Schubert Motorsport in the DTM and is part of BMW M Team WRT’s Hypercar program in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Early Life and Background
Marco Wittmann was born on 24 November 1989 in Fürth, West Germany. He grew up in the Bavaria region of Germany, where motorsport has a deep cultural footprint. From an early age, Wittmann showed an interest in competitive driving, and he began karting at the age of six, an experience that shaped his future career path.
In 2004, he claimed the German Junior Karting Championship, marking him as one of the top young talents in his country. His success in karting paved the way for a transition into single-seater car racing, where he would develop the technical skills that would eventually carry him to international prominence. While details about his formal education remain private, his early focus on motorsport became the foundation of his professional life.
Path to DTM
Wittmann made his car racing debut in 2007 with Josef Kaufmann Racing in the Formula BMW ADAC series. He made an immediate impression, winning two races and finishing fifth in the championship standings during his rookie season. The following year, as the series merged into Formula BMW Europe, he remained with Josef Kaufmann Racing and recorded 11 podium finishes, including one victory, finishing as runner-up to teammate Esteban Gutiérrez.
In 2009, Wittmann progressed to the Formula 3 Euro Series with Mücke Motorsport, a developmental year that saw him score only sparse points. He switched to Signature-Plus for 2010 and quickly delivered a win at Hockenheim, ultimately finishing second overall with ten podiums across 18 races. By 2013, Wittmann was a leading contender in the category, scoring five wins including triumphs at the Pau Grand Prix and two victories at the Norisring, again ending the year second in points. These results earned him attention from BMW, leading to his DTM test duties at the end of 2011 and a works contract.
Marco Wittmann Career
Early Career (2007–2012)
Wittmann’s early professional years were built in BMW’s junior single-seater ladder. Following his Formula BMW ADAC debut in 2007, he posted two wins and a fifth-place championship finish. After moving into Formula BMW Europe with the same team in 2008, he earned 11 podiums and the championship runner-up spot.
His subsequent move to the Formula 3 Euro Series with Mücke Motorsport in 2009 proved difficult, but a switch to Signature-Plus for 2010 revitalized his form, delivering a Hockenheim win and a second-place championship finish. Following his strong 2013 Formula 3 Euro Series campaign, where he took five wins and finished second overall, BMW signed him as a DTM test driver for the 2012 season.
DTM Career (2013–2020)
Wittmann became a DTM race driver in 2013, piloting a BMW M3 DTM for Team MTEK. He quickly stood out as the top rookie, scoring points in his first two starts, claiming a pole position at Zandvoort, and finishing eighth overall in the standings.
In 2014, with Team RMG, Wittmann delivered a dominant championship run, highlighted by victories at Hockenheim, the Hungaroring, Spielberg, and the Nürburgring. He clinched the title with a round to spare, finishing 50 points ahead of runner-up Mattias Ekström. After a less competitive 2015 season, Wittmann reclaimed the DTM crown in 2016, sealing his second championship at Hockenheim despite a mid-season disqualification at the Hungaroring. Subsequent seasons saw him remain a regular front-runner, scoring wins at the Norisring and the Hungaroring in 2018, finishing third in 2019, and ending the Class One era in ninth place in 2020.
GT Career (2021–2023)
When the DTM transitioned to GT3 regulations in 2021, Wittmann joined Walkenhorst Motorsport. He finished fourth in the standings, taking notable victories at Zolder and Assen, and earned a podium finish at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring with Rowe Racing. The 2022 season was tougher, but a commanding win at Hockenheim helped him climb to eighth overall.
In 2023, Wittmann raced in the DTM with Project 1, while also competing in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup with ROWE Racing and making his IMSA SportsCar Championship debut in the GTP class with BMW. The ROWE trio won the Monza opener and the 24 Hours of Spa, finishing as runners-up in the overall standings.
Schubert Motorsport Era (2024–Present)
In 2024, Wittmann joined Schubert Motorsport in the DTM alongside fellow champions René Rast and Sheldon van der Linde. Simultaneously, he was named one of six BMW M Team WRT drivers in the Hypercar class of the FIA World Endurance Championship, partnering Raffaele Marciello and Dries Vanthoor in the No. 15 entry.
Driving Style and Strengths
Wittmann is widely regarded as one of the most technically precise drivers on the DTM grid. His track-type strengths lean toward street circuits and permanent racing facilities such as the Norisring and the Nürburgring, where his smooth input and consistent race pace pay dividends. His ability to manage tires and execute long-run strategy has made him a trusted lead driver for BMW in endurance events.
Notable Races and Milestones
Among his career-defining moments, Wittmann counts his 2014 DTM title-clinching weekend at the Nürburgring, his 2016 Hockenheim championship-sealing race, his 2023 victory at the 24 Hours of Spa with ROWE Racing, and his maiden GTP-class appearance at the Rolex 24 at Daytona. His two triumphs at the Norisring stand as a signature expression of his craft on a circuit that rewards precision and confidence.
Marco Wittmann Career Wins
Marco Wittmann’s career is defined by two DTM championships and a growing collection of victories across GT3 and endurance racing. From his early single-seater wins in Formula BMW to his most recent successes in Hypercar machinery, he has consistently delivered results at the highest levels of the sport.
DTM Highlights
Wittmann is a two-time DTM champion, having won the title in 2014 with Team RMG and again in 2016 with the same team. His 2014 campaign featured wins at Hockenheim, the Hungaroring, Spielberg, and the Nürburgring, while his 2016 title run included victories at Spielberg, Moscow, and the Nürburgring. Additional DTM wins have come at Zandvoort, Oschersleben, the Norisring, the Hungaroring, Misano, Assen, and Brands Hatch.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the DTM, Wittmann took GT3 wins at Zolder and Assen with Walkenhorst Motorsport in 2021, and he added a commanding victory at Hockenheim in 2022. In 2023, he co-drove the ROWE Racing BMW to victory at the Monza opener and the 24 Hours of Spa in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup. Earlier in his career, he recorded multiple wins in the Formula BMW ADAC and Formula BMW Europe series, along with five wins in the Formula 3 Euro Series including triumphs at the Pau Grand Prix and the Norisring.
Marco Wittmann Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Wittmann was raised in Bavaria, the German region with a deep tradition in motorsport. While specific details about his parents remain private, his introduction to karting at age six was encouraged by his family, who supported his early competitive ambitions.
Personal Life
Marco Wittmann currently resides in Markt Erlbach, Germany. He maintains an active presence on social media, sharing updates from his racing career. Beyond his professional commitments, he continues to be one of BMW Motorsport’s most visible factory ambassadors.
2025 Season Performance
Marco Wittmann enters 2025 with two major commitments. In the DTM, he continues with Schubert Motorsport alongside René Rast and Sheldon van der Linde, looking to build on his prior form and add to his two championship tallies. With consistent top-tier teammates and a proven engineering package, the team is positioned as a leading contender from the opening round.
Parallel to his DTM duties, Wittmann remains a fixture in the FIA World Endurance Championship with BMW M Team WRT, sharing the No. 15 Hypercar with Raffaele Marciello and Dries Vanthoor. The Hypercar program gives Wittmann the chance to compete on the world stage, including events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
With BMW’s expanding factory involvement across multiple championships, Wittmann’s experience, race craft, and technical feedback make him a central figure in the German marque’s 2025 motorsport ambitions.