“Ralf Schumacher signs with Mercedes”

The German newspaper Bild reports today that Ralf Schumacher will sign a contract with Mercedes today to race in the 2008 DTM. The 32-year old driver will report to the Mercedes headquarters in Fellbach today to work out the last details of the contract and to finalise the deal. Schumacher will sign a one-year deal, with an option for an extra season in 2009.

“I felt good in the Mercedes very quickly”, Ralf said to Bild. “Häkkinen and Alesi have won races as well, and that will ofcourse be my goal too.”

Norbert Haug thinks Schumacher will need some time to adjust. “Just like any other driver, Ralf will need to have two years of learning first. There is no ‘Veni, Vidi, Vici’ in DTM”.

Schumacher will race the 2008 season in the same car Mika Häkkinen drove last year. If he decides to take up his option for 2009, he is likely to get a new car then.