Photo: WTCC Media

BMW drivers on summer break

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With the WTCC currently on its summer break, the factory backed BMW drivers are all spending their time in different ways. Balancing time between PR work, testing and relaxation time is vital, as they look to the last four races of the season.

Augusto Farfus is BMWs best placed driver in the drivers championship standings, and he took time out to relax with his family and friends at home in Brazil.

This was after he began his summer with a trip to Asia. The trip was arranged by both Formula BMW and PETRONAS, and was aimed at Farfus helping with the development of some of the continents younger drivers.

“It’s hardly a summer break for me, there is something constantly happening,” , said Farfus’ Schnitzer BMW team mate, Jörg Müller.

Muller is clearly having a busy summer, but reflected that the break was more for the engineers and technicians., and added that “a few days away from the workshop helps to recharge their batteries”.

Triple World Champion Andy Priaulx is a family man at heart, and he has used the time to spend as much time with his family as possible, “To get several days together without me flying off for a test or race is bliss”, said the Guernseyman.

Prior to the next WTCC meeting at Oschersleben, Priaulx will act as host to the BMW Sauber F1 Team’s Paddock Club guests at the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps,

Alessandro Zanardi has spent part of his free time exploring islands near to Croatia on his boat. The Italian took part in this adventure with family and friends, but also found time to train for another challenge he is undertaking.

Zanardi is to represent Italy in the Para-cycling World Championships, just a week after the Oschersleben round of the WTCC, and he is clearly elated at the opportunity, “It will be thrilling to represent my country in another world championship”.

“There is something missing in my life”, said Zanardi’s team mate, Sergio Hernández. The Spaniard openly wishes that the next race was sooner rather than later, but has made the most of his free time, diving in Ibiza.

“I instruct at a diving school. I really enjoy that. To be under water is pure relaxation”, he said, but also emphasised that he devoted a large portion of his time to fitness training.

The next round of the WTCC is at Oschersleben, with racing on the 6th September. You can follow all the action on TouringCarTimes.com.