Ralf confirms Mercedes DTM deal
Ralf Schumacher has ended weeks of speculation about his future by confirming that he will race a Trilux AMG Mercedes C-Class in the DTM this year
Schumacher tested a Mercedes-Benz DTM at Estoril in Portugal earlier this year and was immediately attracted to the series, with his options in Formula One having run out.
Although it was widely expected he would complete a deal with Mercedes-Benz, the news was not confirmed until today. It means his first race will be at Hockenheim on April 13.
Schumacher insisted throughout the end of last year that he would remain in F1 in 2008, even though no teams had any interest in signing him.
However, as soon as he tested a DTM car he expressed his desire in becoming a touring car driver.
"I wouldn't be here driving the car if I wasn't enjoying it and if I wasn't seriously considering racing in the DTM," he said after his recent Estoril test. "I'm using every minute of testing to get to know the car better.
"Should a co-operation come about, I would race one of the 2007-spec cars. After all, I'm new to DTM and would have to get to know everything and get accustomed to racing the car - you don't need a new one to do that. In the learning year, winning races just wouldn't be the goal yet."
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