[dtm] [F1line] Toro Rosso a dream come true for Wittman

DTM champion Marco Wittmann admits that it was an unexpected surprise to be handed an F1 test with Scuderia Toro Rosso as part of his 'prize' for winning the touring car title.

The former Formula BMW frontrunner has been at the head of the DTM standings for much of the season, eventually claiming the title two races before the Hockenheim finale. His rewards were not fully revealed until after the last race of the year, however, with the Toro Rosso outing included amongst a host of tantalising gifts.

“I found out at the team evening after the Hockenheim finale that BMW Motorsport has organised the F1 test,” Wittmann revealed, “That is another childhood dream come true for me and he fact that BMW has made this possible for me is incredible.”

No date or venue has been set for the test, but Wittmann is realistic enough to know that his chances of making it to F1 as a result remain slim, even with Toro Rosso looking for a replacement for Red Bull-bound Daniil Kvyat. F3 racewinner Max Verstappen had already been confirmed as joining the team in place of Jean-Eric Vergne, but Kvyat's promotion leaves the door open for a number of Red Bull 'juniors', including WSbR champion Carlos Sainz Jr, GP2 new boy Pierre Gasly and GP3 champion-elect Alex Lynn. Wittmann, meanwhile, has already pledged his future to defending his DTM crown.

“I cannot say how proud and happy I am to be part of the BMW family,” he insisted, “Therefore, it was a matter of course for me to renew my contract. I am looking forward to many exciting years in the DTM.

“I am sure it will take a while for me to fully comprehend what my team and I have achieved this season, but the past few days and weeks have been an absolute pleasure.

“I have been bombarded with a lot of things to do, and that is set to continue, as I have a lot of PR appointments to keep in the near future, so I don't think I will find the time to really look back at the season until the winter break, when a little peace and order will return to my life.

“I only won my first DTM race five months ago but, now, here I am as the new champion. I could never have dreamed of that before the start of the season. However, sometimes dreams come true.”