Alzen snapped up by Mercedes

Alzen was sacked by Opel after controversially punting team leader Manuel Reuter out of the lead of the season finale at Hockenheim. He went on to win both races - adding to a maiden DTM victory at Oschersleben - but was dismissed by the Russelsheim marque on the eve of the Essen motor show.

The 33-year-old German is set to take the re-retired Klaus Ludwig's seat in the Warsteiner-backed AMG squad alongside Switzerland's Marcel Fassler. AMG will continue to run two teams in the series, with reigning champion Bernd Schneider joined by Peter Dumbreck in its D2-sponsored outfit.

"Because of his driving ability, Uwe definitely belongs in the DTM," said AMG team manager Hansjurgen Mattheis. "If he didn't drive, a real character would have been lost to the series."

Alzen drove for Mercedes in the 1995 DTM with the semi-works Persson squad, but switched to Opel for the final year of Class 1 racing in 1996. Since then, he has been part of Opel's Super Touring programme, before switching to the marque's re-started DTM effort last year.

Despite his volatile reputation, Mattheis envisages no problems in taking Alzen under the Three-Pointed Star's wing.

"Uwe's part of our programme from the past," he said, "and at that time, he fitted in, no problem whatsoever - I don't see any difficulties."

Mattheis also stressed that Alzen will receive equal equipment to DTM champ Schneider and that no driver would be singled out as AMG's main title-contender.

"He will receive the same equipment as his team colleagues," he said. "Theoretically, anyone can take the title. We don't want to concentrate on just one candidate."