Bike ace Waldmann to test DTM Mercedes

Works Aprilia rider Waldmann, twice a runner-up in the 250cc World Championship, will test the car at the end of the DTM season, but says he would consider a drive in any major touring car series, including the British Touring Car Championship.

"I'm definitely nearer the end of my bike career than the beginning," said the 34-year-old German, "and touring cars are something I would like to do in the future. I love the racing and I think it's great that guys like Klaus Ludwig who is still competitive at 50.

"I have an offer on the table to do World Superbikes with Honda, which I'm very interested in, but I think that maybe I have two years left at the top. Most of the guys I'm racing against now are 10 years younger than me..."

Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug said: "Ralf approached us and we were happy to do it. He's a sporting hero in Germany and it's now just a case of fixing a date that fits in with everybody. It will be at the end of the season."

Waldmann's car racing experience includes Porsche Supercup guest drives and winning a German club race on the Nurburgring in a BMW M3. Should the German move to touring cars, he joins a long line of bikers who have switched to four wheels, most notably John Surtees, who was a world champion in both formats.