Maxime Martin and Fabio Leimer impress BMW on maiden DTM test

BMW motorsport director Jens Marquardt said that GT regular Martin and GP2 racewinner Leimer, neither of whom had any previous experience of the M3 machine, had both driven well during the two-day test.

"We welcomed two new faces into the cockpit of the BMW M3 DTM at our test in Aragon, in the form of Fabio Leimer and Maxime Martin," said Marquardt.

"Both did a good job. We wanted to give them the opportunity to familiarise themselves with a DTM car. Both Fabio and Maxime did that very well - and they were soon driving to a high standard."

Martin, whose father Jean-Michel raced for BMW in the DTM in 1989, said that the biggest problem he encountered was adapting his GT driving style to the M3.

"That was an awesome experience for me," said the Blancpain Endurance Series points leader.

"Everything was quite new, but I quickly developed a good feel for the car. The aerodynamics, weight and carbon brakes were the biggest differences.

"The DTM cars have an enormous amount of downforce and the light weight means you can brake much, much later than in a GT car. I already knew the circuit, which helped me a bit as I was getting used to the car."

DTM regular Joey Hand and the programme's test driver, Marco Wittmann, also drove at Aragon.

This year's championship concludes at Hockenheim later this month, with BMW driver Bruno Spengler the main threat to for the title.