"We drive where other people spend their holiday," said Audi driver Tom Kristensen before the DTM race at Mugello. His team-mate Mattias Ekström took this literally and came to Tuscany a week before the race weekend.
 
The defending DTM champion took advantage of the Italian round for a short holiday: the Swede travelled to the venue in his Audi RS 4 on Saturday before the race weekend, rented a small house and took advantage of the picturesque hilly landscape of Tuscany for some mountain bike excursions.
 
Interest in the DTM is growing in Italy as well: the German sales organisation was pleased to welcome over 500 guests at the Audi VIP lounge.
 
Like other DTM events, the third DTM round at Mugello was attended by a board member of Audi AG to witness a motorsport event of the brand: Michael Dick, who is responsible for Technical Development, came to Tuscany, accompanied by his assistant Thomas Müller. DR Horst Glaser, Head of Chassis Development, and DR Willibert Schleuter, Head of Electrical Systems/Electronics, watched the events on location too.
 
The two Audi youngsters Alexandre Prémat and Mike Rockenfeller are looking back on a particularly strenuous week: the two contested the 1000-kilometre race at Monza, then went to Le Castellet for tests with the Audi R10 TDI and from there travelled directly to Mugello by car. Le Mans record winner Tom Kristensen tested at Le Castellet as well.
 
For old times’ sake, Konrad Schmidt returned to the DTM for one day at Mugello. After his time as a rally team director, the Franconian, who now lives in Italy, took part in Audi’s first DTM commitment with the Audi quattro. From 1990 to 1992, his SMS team was responsible for fielding the V8 quattro. At the beginning of the Supertouring car era Schmidt was active for Audi as well.