Mercedes confirm Lauda, Stoddart

As predicted by Autosport, Scottish driver Stoddart, 23, and Austrian Mathias Lauda, 25, will switch from single-seaters to the German manufacturer having tested their cars earlier this month.

Stoddart will race for the Berlin-based team Mucke Motorsport, having sat out the majority of last season's British F3 campaign out due to injury. She, along with new Audi recruit Vanina Ickx, will become the first women to compete in the category since Ellen Lohr, who famously won a race at Hockenheim in 1992.

Mathias Lauda, GP2 racer and son of former Formula One World Champion Niki, will race for Persson Motorsport. Both will drive 2004-specification cars for their respective teams.

Norbert Haug, vice president Mercedes-Benz motorsport said: "With Susie Stoddart and Mathias Lauda we have two likeable newcomers in our DTM team. During her career so far, Susie Stoddart performed well and was a finalist in the McLaren Autosport BRDC award and is what distinguishes her.

"Mathias Lauda gained experience in his short career so far in several single seater series and he now wants to go his own way in a touring car. He's a nice guy who started racing late and has gained comparatively little experience so far.

"The DTM and its environment will help him to improve. Susie and Mathias are a gain for the DTM. They have set themselves a great task and they can expect the support from all of us to resolve it."

Lauda admits he has a steep learning curve ahead of him.

He said: "I'm proud to drive in the DTM for Mercedes-Benz. I have no experience with touring cars at all and certainly have to learn a lot. My first tests with the AMG-Mercedes C-Class went well.

"It's my aim to attract attention with good results after a learning phase. I know, however, that there will be no "I came, I saw, I conquered". First, I have to make my mark within my immediate surrounding."

Stoddart agrees with Lauda: "I will push as hard as I can in the DTM field with so many stars, and I really look forward to my first race at Hockenheim. Of course, I have to learn a lot and it's clear that in the beginning this will happen at the back of the field rather than at the front."