DTM champion Tomczyk switches rides

BMW has poached Audi’s reigning DTM champion driver Martin Tomczyk for next season.

The 30-year-old German has left Audi after 11 seasons. Tomczyk won the title in 2011 after being demoted from the Abt Sportsline squad to race a year-old car for the Phoenix team.

Tomczyk said on the announcement of his departure from Audi: ““I’m delighted I could repay the trust by winning the 2011 championship title together with team Phoenix. Despite this success, and after careful consideration, I have decided to accept a new challenge.”

BMW has signed four of the six drivers it needs for next season in Tomczyk, Andy Priaulx, Bruno Spengler and Augusto Farfus Jr. It has yet to announce how they will be distributed among its three teams, Schnitzer, Bart Mampaey Racing and the new Rheinhold Motorsport (RMG) squad.