Abt-itude test.

Getting the chance to remain with Audi, move to Team Abt and get my hands on a 2008-spec car is great news, I'm over the moon.

Of course, the main benefit is that, instead of just having my team-mate to race like I did last year, I'm going to be on a much more level playing field, so I'm really looking forward to this year. Team Abt is a very experienced, and winning, team. They won the DTM title last year, and they've won it before with 'Eki'. In fact, they've won so many races I think they've probably lost count!

After racing a 2006-spec A4 DTM alongside Christijan Albers last season, I've now got four new team-mates to learn from. All of the Audi drivers are very close, and everyone helps each other, but you tend to stick with those driving the year of car that you are in because the next year's car always handles slightly differently, or has a slightly different set-up. I'm not sure how close the cars are going to be from 2008 to 2009 - although I'm obviously hoping they're going to be quite close this year - but I've got the benefits of both worlds as, obviously, I've got the other '08 drivers and their support, and, of course, the four '09 drivers at Abt too. It's good they way it's done, the way everyone helps each other - it definitely makes you a better driver and pushes you on.

With only myself and Christijan in the '06 cars last year, against four '07 Audis and five '07 Mercedes - not to mention the '08 cars - it was a bit of a battle. But, as they say, the harder things are, the harder you push yourself, and the better you become. I'm really looking forward to this year, and I'm really excited because now we'll be there with the other one-year old Mercedes and Audis. Hopefully, we can all fight for the final couple of places in the top ten - and, if the cars are relatively similar, even chase a point or two.

Of course, it wasn't at all bad in 2008. There weren't any great expectations on either side because we knew the situation. I had a great time driving, and simply to be with Audi is one of the main achievements of my career. I've learned so much from them and, just from that point of view, I'm excited to be given an even better chance this year to prove their dedication to me is right.

We had some up and down races last year, but it's difficult to simply say it was a good or bad year as the '06 car was quite competitive at some places - like Brands and Zandvoort where, sadly, we had incidents. However, at some other places, we really weren't competitive, so it was kind of hit and miss. But I learned all the tracks, and learned how the teams work, so it was very much a learning year, and one without too much pressure.

Obviously, I think I'm the one that puts the most pressure on myself and, now that I'm in the same car as four of my team-mates, I've got to be able to be competitive. I'm with a really good team - probably the best team in a way - and the pressure from myself is going to be tremendous simply because I'm in a good position and equal with everybody else.

There's always a difference in cars but, last year, you didn't know where you should be - as long as I was on Christijan's pace, I was happy, and the aim was always just to beat him. But, this year, unless I'm beating my team-mates - or at least a couple of them - and on a regular basis, there's going to be pressure. The one-year old cars were all so even last year that the goal is to be in there mixing it with them. From there, you want to be the best '08 driver, you want to progress. So there's a lot of pressure, but I think that pressure helps me in a way. We'll see what happens.

I think I've changed a lot, and improved a lot. Obviously, driving single-seaters taught me a great deal, but the last year in Champ Car was more about survival and seeing what would happen than anything else. Last year, on the other hand, you could see that it was a different environment - very supportive - and you could see how everything was supposed to be done, to the letter, very professional.

And you have to step up and be totally professional. I learned so much from Audi and so much from my team and team-mates, that I also learned a lot about myself and my driving. Of course, it is a very different driving style in the DTM, but you're always learning. Any time you get to the track and think 'I didn't learn anything'.... well, I don't think that ever happens. I'm sure even people like Michael Schumacher were learning things at the end of their career.

The off-season has been a long one, and I can't wait to get back in a racing car - I've been counting down the days on my diary for weeks... However, just when you think you've got lots of time, it soon comes around the corner and creeps up on you. Very soon, it'll be time to start testing, then the first race will be upon us.

I can't wait!

Katherine