26.11.2003 ALFA ROMEO ARE TO RETURN TO THE GERMAN DTM RACING SERIES IN 2005
in association with

The Alfa Romeo 155 V6 Ti was campaigned in the DTM series between 1993 and 1996Alfa Romeo are planning a return to the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM) series in 2005 with the successor to the present Alfa 156, the Alfa 158. The German-based series, currently contested by Mercedes-Benz, Opel and Audi, fuses advanced racing technology into cars which are silhouetted against production counterparts.

Alfa took part in the DTM series for four years from 1993 to 1996, as well as its international offspring the ITC, using a four wheel drive racer based around the 156's predecessor, the 155. The Martini sponsored Alfa Romeo 155 V6 TI, in Nicola Larini's hands, won the 1993 Championship after a fight to the wire with Roland Asch's Mercedes-Benz 190E. Other notable drivers to race for Alfa in the DTM during that period included former F1 stars Sandro Nannini, Gabriele Tarquini, Christian Danner, Giancarlo Fisichella and Stefano Modena.

This time the project will be managed by Ferrari, Fiat Group's sportscar marker being given overall responsibility for chassis and engine development as they become ever more closely involved with Alfa Romeo. Presently Ferrari are developing a 5.0-litre V10 exclusively for Alfa Romeo, while a higher specification version of Alfa Romeo's 8c Competizione due in 2006 will be powered by the Enzo's 6.0-litre V12 and carry 'Scuderia Ferrari' badging.

Michael and Ralf Schumacher's manager Willie Weber is a leading light in the project, while the F1 World Champion will also be involved in developing the new car. The possibility of a one off appearance by the German star in a race has not been ruled out. Alfa Romeo's CEO Daniele Bandiera has received strong backing from their German importer who is expected to contribute to the required budget.

The step up to the technologically advanced DTM series is a logical sporting progression for Alfa Romeo, who have just clinched the European Touring Car Championship again. The series winning pilot Gabriele Tarquini will be joined in the new team by long time Alfa racing stalwart Nicola Larini, while current Opel DTM pilot Timo Scheider is strongly tipped to move to Alfa Romeo.