Those of you who are waiting in anticipation of who WilliamsF1 will reveal as partner to Mark Webber in 2005, can cross former champion Mika Hakkinen of your list, for the two-time world champion has been confirmed as a Mercedes driver in the 2005 DT.

The announcement was made at the Stars & Cars event being held at the DaimlerChrysler Stuttgart-Untertürkheim plant. The Finn had tested the car last month at the Lausitzring.

"After the end of my Formula One career in 2001, I soon realised that I'm not ready to retire for good," said Hakkinen, according the the DTM website. "It was just the right moment that Mercedes-Benz offered me to test a DTM car. I saw immediately that I still enjoy racing very much and during the test three weeks ago, my lap times were at the same level as those of the touring car specialists. I know, of course, that I first have to get used to a DTM car to be able to fight with the front runners. The AMG-Mercedes C-Class, however, is a great car and with it I want to be consistently competitive soon. I look forward to an interesting season with exciting battles - against my former Formula One colleages as well as against the young DTM drivers - and to see again my fans. I'm especially happy about returning to the Mercedes family - I'm back, but I've never been really gone."

"We are very happy about Mika's decision to race in the DTM," added norbert Haug. "Our engagement and the Championship will gain a lot from his commitment. Since Mika was driving for us, he was always interested in DTM and we talked a lot about it. Watching the 2004 season on TV Mika has become a real DTM fan, as he told us. During his test he proved that he didn't lose his speed. We look forward to exciting battles next year."