Whether in the DTM, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar
Championship, or countless other championships, week after week BMW
teams and drivers around the world do battle for points, victories
and titles. Away from the track, members of the large BMW Motorsport
family around the world are also creating headlines. The “BMW
Motorsport News” allows us to regularly summarise all the action for
you in a compact and informative manner. That way, you are always up
to speed.
DTM: BMW DTM drivers hone their fitness.
The six BMW DTM drivers underwent an intense training regime this
week. They were in Viareggio (ITA) from Sunday to Wednesday for a
four-day fitness camp. Team doctor Riccardo Ceccarelli (ITA) and his
Formula Medicine team had put together an extensive and diverse
training schedule to ensure that the drivers are perfectly prepared
for the coming DTM season. The focus was on fitness, reaction and
mental training with the programme including workouts on various
pieces of equipment, CrossFit exercises, and outdoor activities like
volleyball and clay pigeon shooting. “The fitness camp is a very
important part of the pre-season preparations for us drivers,” said
Bruno Spengler (CAN). “Particularly the team building aspect. After
the long winter break, we all meet up and train together. It is always
nice to come to Viareggio to see Formula Medicine. Doctor Ceccarelli
and his team always come up with something new for us every year, and
present us with new challenges – both physically and mentally. You
could hardly have a better preparation for the new season.” The 2017
DTM season opens with the first two races at the Hockenheimring (GER)
on 6th and 7th May.
DTM: Race on Ice – Wittmann wins the DTM IceChallenge.
Marco Wittmann (GER) and Augusto Farfus (BRA) found themselves on
unfamiliar terrain this weekend: the two BMW drivers were in Sweden
for the IceChallenge. The event, organised by the ITR, saw Wittmann
and Farfus take on the opposition in the three premium manufacturers’
series cars on a frozen lake. Wittmann took on Lucas Auer (AUT,
Mercedes) in round one, while Farfus locked horns with Jamie Green
(GBR, Audi). Both BMW drivers emerged triumphant from their opening
duels. The reigning DTM champion Wittmann also impressed in the second
discipline – a two-lap time trial – to qualify for the final. Wittmann
then won two of three final-round duels against Mercedes driver Maro
Engel (GER) to claim the first unofficial title of the DTM season: DTM
IceChallenge Champion 2017. “It was a great experience and we had a
lot of fun. However, it was obviously a real challenge and the
opposition was very strong. To win the first title before the start of
the season – even if it was on ice – feels great, and is definitely a
good start to the season,” said Wittmann.
Japanese Super GT Championship: Müller back in the BMW M6 GT3.
BMW works driver Jörg Müller (GER) will race for BMW Team Studie
again in the Japanese Super GT Championship this year. Together with
team-mate Seiji Ara (JPN), Müller returns to compete in the strong
GT300 class. The same duo started all eight races in the BMW M6 GT3’s
debut year in 2016 and finished third at the opening round in Okayama
(JPN) to claim the first podium for the new GT Car in Asia. As well as
BMW Team Studie, Autobacs Racing Team Aguri will also race in the
GT300 class in a second BMW M6 GT3. The opening round of the season
takes place at the Okayama International Circuit (JPN) on
8th and 9th April 2017.