Audi squad enjoying yearly fitness week
The Audi DTM factory drivers enjoyed their traditional winter camp in Bavaria last week, alongside their sportscar counterparts. At this year’s get together, ‘team building’, instead of the usual focus on fitness, was in the spotlight.
The squad prepared for their DTM title defence with a varied programme beginning each morning at 07.30 with stretching and aqua power, before moving onto a range of activities including water basketball, indoor football and cross-country skiing.
Head of Audi Motorsport, Dr Wolfgang Ullrich left the camp extremely satisfied, saying: “As far as the team spirit and fitness are concerned, we can safely say that we have the strongest driver and team line ups you can imagine. As always, we were greeted by perfect conditions at the Sonnenalp and used these to prepare optimally for the special challenges we expect to face in this tough year 2009.”
Fitness wasn’t completely neglected however, as under the supervision of Audi Team Doctor Christian John, the fitness of the drivers was put under the microscope, including an ECG stress-test and lactate measurement, with the results pleasing the team doctor.
“We’ve always had well trained drivers. However, they arrived here in even better condition this year. This means that their own preparation functions excellently. It is also very pleasing that none of the drivers are fading.”
Before the drivers headed off to commence their build-up to the new season, there was one final treat in store for 2007 and 2008 DTM Champions Mattias Ekstrom and Timo Scheider, who led the squad on a dogsled tour of the area around Ofterschwang, where the camp was held.
