Major test begins in Italy

The 2003 DTM season kicked off with the opening major test of the year at the Adria circuit in Italy today (Tuesday)

Mar 18, 2003, 1:13 PM

Reigning champion Abt Sportsline has decided to concentrate on building its fleet of new Audi TT-Rs, and so will just field new signing Peter Terting and its former F1 racer Karl Wendlinger in 2002-spec cars for the four-day test. The car, which will be prepared by satellite team First Choice Racing in 2003, ran in a new maroon and silver colourscheme.

AMG Mercedes has its new CLK present, however, and both Bernd Schneider and Jean Alesi are scheduled to get behind the wheel. Mercedes also has a number of 2002-spec cars in attendance, including the Autobacs-liveried car of Katsutomo Kaneshi, who will race for the Persson squad this year. Team Rosberg also has a year-old CLK present.

Opel's programme starts with Alain Menu today, who will be joined on track by Peter Dumbreck, Jeroen Bleekemolen, Timo Scheider, Manuel Reuter and Joachim Winkelhock as the test progresses throughout the week.

Adria will host round two of the DTM on May 11.