Bartels completes Opel line-up

The 33-year-old, who was seventh overall in last year's standings, was given the last-minute chance when Opel junior Steffen Schulz was stood down after professing to be unprepared for the rigours of a DTM campaign.

Bartels joins Opel Team Holzer in a three-car squad that also includes 1993 BTCC champ Jo Winkelhock and Timo Scheider. All three will run 2001 kit, along with 2000 title runner-up Manuel Reuter (Opel Team Phoenix) and reigning BTCC champion Alain Menu (Opel Euroteam).

"We are happy that Michael Bartels is again part of Opel," said the marque's motorsport boss Volker Strycek. "Michael is able to race for top places, as he showed last year with podiums and 12 top 10 finishes."

Bartels added: "The DTM is the best series below Formula 1 and as a race car, the Opel Coupe is a lot of fun. I'm very glad to be back in the Opel family."

With Yves Olivier confirmed in a 2000-spec car alongside Reuter at Phoenix, Hubert Haupt also in year-old kit at Euroteam and privateer Peter Mamerow running his own 2000-spec machine, Opel's line-up is now complete.

Bartels immediately began testing duties at Hockenheim today (Tuesday), but in the ex-Uwe Alzen 2000-spec car.

Mercedes again finished the day fastest overall, with Bernd Schneider leading the way, ahead of Bernd Maylander and Christijan Albers in a 2000-spec CLK. Winkelhock and Reuter were the fastest Opels, with Timo Scheider spending the day shaking down the third 2001-spec car to be completed. Menu is set to get his 2001-spec car tomorrow for the third and final day of testing.