Motorsport: Lineup for recruit Nico Müller
Audi factory rider Nico Müller and Moto2 rider Dominique Aegerter have swapped their racing suits for camouflage. Both are completing basic military training until March. For Nico Müller it will be interrupted next week by the GT assignment at FIA World Cup in Asia. Nico Müller will soon be 25 years old, Dominique Aegerter even 26 years old, and both have already made a name for themselves with their sporting successes [...]
Nico Müller will soon be 25, Dominique Aegerter even 26, and both have already done a lot of honor for Switzerland with their sporting successes. However, they have not yet served their country as normal Swiss citizens. They will make up for this over the winter, but will be allowed to complete their basic military training in the top sports RS. This is a privilege that the few professional motorsport athletes from Switzerland have not enjoyed for too long.
"You have to be subordinate. It's not so extreme at Audi. But it's okay, you get to know a different side for a change," says DTM driver Nico Müller, taking it in stride just like his Bernese colleague. For Dominique Aegerter, the motorcycle GP has been over since he was virtually kicked out of the previous team after the announcement of the team change for 2017. Nico Müller, on the other hand, has received the call-up from Audi to compete in the FIA GT World Cup in Macau. Thus, he will travel to Asia for a week next week for the first time in his life. Nico Müller's entry in Phoenix Racing's second Audi R8 LMS is due to his license. Only two platinum drivers - the highest license rating - are allowed to compete per brand. At Audi, these are Edoardo Mortara and Laurens Vanthoor.
Farewell performance by Edoardo Mortara
For Edoardo Mortara, who will compete for Mercedes in the DTM and probably in GT races as well from next season onwards, it's Audi's farewell performance. No driver has won more times at Macau than the Italian-Swiss. Although Nico Müller himself is surprised that he is still considered a gold driver due to his previous successes, he would like to keep it that way because it also brings advantages in a team line-up - as is now the case for Macau. He only knows the spectacular and difficult Guia Circuit in the urban canyons of Macau, a gambler's city on the outskirts of Hong Kong, from video recordings and training on the simulator: "It will be difficult because experienced drivers have an advantage there. But I'm looking forward to it, especially since it's an honor to be able to drive there for a manufacturer like Audi." The following week, recruit Müller will have to be called up again, but will then be allowed to continue his training, which will last until March 17, 2017, in Magglingen, where, as a top athlete, he will be able to devote himself to personal training on a daily basis. Rest, dismiss!
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Photos: Archive
