Albers moves closer to Mercedes seat

The 21-year-old Dutchman, who raced in F3000 last season with the European Arrows squad, tested a DTM-spec CLK at Jarama, near Madrid in Spain, on Tuesday. Although he was expected to run for two days, it appears the Mercedes hierarchy had made up its mind after completing 80 laps and told him he could go home. Albers has an outside chance of the remaining European Minardi F1 seat, but seems more likely to take the DTM seat which is expected to be offered to him.

The question remains, however, as to which of Merc's teams he will join. The top flight HWA team is expected to be Bernd Schneider, Marcel Fassler, Peter Dumbreck and disgraced Opel star Uwe Alzen - all of whom will drive brand new cars. Albers might have to settle for a seat in a 2000 car alongside Darren Turner at Rosberg, as Pedro Lamy and Thomas Jager are expected to make up the Persson squad's line up.

Schneider and Alzen both drove cars featuring 2001 components at Jarama, while Patrick Huisman and Bernd Maylander, who will race 2001-spec cars for Manthey Racing, also tested at Jarama in 2000 machines to get them up to speed for the coming season.