Mercedes confirm 2006 driver line-up
Mercedes have confirmed their driver line-up for this season's DTM
Hot on the heels of arch-rival Audi unveiling the majority of their drivers last week, Mercedes have announced that they will field ten drivers from seven different teams.
Double Formula One World Champion Mika Hakkinen and former DTM champion Bernd Schneider will again race for the works HWA team, with Bruno Spengler and Jamie Green being promoted from Persson Motorsport to join them.
Last season Spengler drove a year-old car, however the move will ensure he will drive the latest specification C-Class this season.
Going in the other direction to Persson will be Jean Alesi, who will be joined by former Mucke driver Alexandros Margartitis.
Stefan Mucke will again race for his father's Mucke Motorsport team and will be joined by former World Series by Renault racer and DTM rookie Daniel la Rosa.
Mercedes had confirmed last week that Scottish driver Susie Stoddart and Austrian Mathias Lauda would join Mucke and Persson respectively, in 2004 specification cars.
Norbert Haug, vice president Mercedes-Benz Motorsport said that it was part of the squad's tradition to have a mixture of young talent and experienced drivers.
"The composition of our 2005 squad is no surprise," he said. "In the forthcoming championship I expect about a dozen drivers capable of winning, and our four HWA drivers will certainly be among them.
"Mika Hakkinen, Jamie Green and Bruno Spengler have shown in their respective first seasons 2005 that they belong to the fastest drivers in the field. The two times World Champion has managed his change to the DTM brilliantly and the fans have enjoyed it.
"Winning last year's season finale at Hockenheim Bernd Schneider has proved that you always can count on him. That was why we announced the extension of his contract early last year.
"Also the drivers of last year's cars will be able to fight for top positions. The new technical regulations which require to maintain significant car components will close the gaps within the field even more. The spectators can look forward to some surprising results."
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