BMW Motorsport News - Issue 09/17.

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 6^th and 7^th 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 8^th and 9^th April 2017.