Audi receives a well-known reinforcement this season: Former Formula 1 driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen competes with an Audi A4 DTM in the most popular and leading international touring car race series. "We are convinced of his driving skills. He showed what he was capable of in Formula 1. In our opinion, Heinz-Harald hasn't previously been able to show his true potential in the DTM," says Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich. "We know that Heinz-Harald is very popular with both the fans and media. It's a reflection of his personality."

The Monaco domiciled German, who was born on 18 May 1967 in Mönchengladbach, swapped from Formula 1 to the ultimate touring car series in the 2004 season. He started from the front row twice in 2005, and finished on the winners' podium in third position at Brno and Zandvoort. "It's now time for me to win some DTM races and also fight for championship honours," says Frentzen. "I'm delighted that Audi is giving me the chance to show the DTM fans exactly what I can do in a touring car. I've always been a fan of the Audi brand with their modern design and their technical expertise. Audi has been one of the most successful manufacturers for years in motorsport. And alongside Formula 1, DTM is quite simply one of the best racing series in the world."

Heinz-Harald Frentzen is regarded as an extremely gifted technical driver and brings all the experience gained from a decade of Formula 1 to Audi. He was 1997 World Championship runner-up and third overall in 1999. He won three Grands Prix during his Formula 1 career.

Frentzen lives with his wife Tanja and their two daughters in Monte Carlo. He will line up in the DTM with an evolution of the A4 DTM, which has been developed over the winter by Audi Sport and which will be run by Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline.

Following a seat fitting in the Audi A4 DTM last week and a brief visit at the Audi fitness camp, he will be testing the Audi A4 DTM for the first time at the official DTM tests at Vallelunga (Italy) from Wednesday onwards.