Hello fans, the main question that I am constantly asked: what are you doing after the season? There are many events and obligations that you need to exercise? Since the season has ended there have been only very few calm moments. There are many events at the end of the year, which I have to visit, but also really enjoy it.

After the successful season, there was an adequate Party on the plan. We celebrated with the team in Hockenheim really nicely and let the season pass in review. We cannot celebrate so wildly between the races and the entire crew deserved it really.

A week later, the GQ Men of the Year Award was presented. As a guest of honor I had a very special appearance: I arrived at the awards with my DTM C-Class in front of the "house of art" in my home city of Munich, and put a nice doughnut on the pavement before I stopped directly at the red carpet. I would say that was a perfect appearance for a DTM driver.

Three days later I stood on the football pitch in Adria and played with the "Nazionale Piloti" team against a selection of Big Brother Italy. In cold wet weather we won 2-0. Just a pity that this time I could not score a goal myself. Although, I was honored during the final ceremony as the top scorer of the team. In 7 games I scored 9 goals. About 1.3 goals per game is a decent value. Finally, the all time German record scorer Gerd Mueller managed 40 goals in 34 games, leading to a rate of 1.2 goals.

Back at home from the football game, I already had to re-pack my suit case and travel to Kitzbuehel. There I was shooting for Mercedes-Benz TV a spot with the E-Class "4-matic". The spot will be online in December for you to have a look.

Shortly after that I had an event that was very important to me personally: the opening of "Peace and Sport" in Monaco. Athletes stand up for good purposes and for people who do not have it so easy. Patron Prince Albert personally gave the starting signal. Paul Vaulter Sergey Bubka, cyclist Stuart O'Grady, footballer Marco Simone and many other athletes also joined this great program. Hopefully we can achieve a lot together.

From Monaco I went back to Germany. More precisely, to the Essen Motor Show. For me, the exhibition is one of the events that I especially like to visit. Especially with the "Race Night" from Auto Bild Motorsport and Auto Bild Sportscars you get the opportunity to see many familiar faces again and to celebrate with them a little the past year in a truly great atmosphere. Beside this, together with DTM champion Timo Scheider and Formula1 rookie Nico Huelkenberg I was an interview guest on the stage. The next day I was at the German championships of Carrera racing and won against my DTM colleagues Bruno Spengler and Matthias Ekstroem. But I did not come further than the semi-finals.

Regardless of these many events, I am already back in training for next season. Currently I cycle a lot in Mallorca and strength my physical condition. Even though Christmas is just around the corner, I will not reduce the training. A few quiet days I can indulge myself, but then it goes on. I wish you a wonderful Christmas and have a great new year. As soon as I have news I'll let you know.

Keep racing,
Maro.