Audi has resigned former DTM driver Timo Scheider to the 2006 DTM series. The young German, who narrowly missed winning the FIA GT Championship title by a single point last year, will drive an Audi A4 DTM in the new series.

At only 27 years of age, the new Audi works driver has competed in the German national team in the A1 Grand Prix racing series and was considered one of the most experienced DTM drivers between 2000 and 2004.

Beginning his career in karting in 1989, Scheider was runner-up in the German Formula 3 Championship in 1997and swapped to the DTM in 2000. In 2003 he won the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring, Germany and in 2005 the 24-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium at the wheel of a GT1 sportscar.

Despite his successful foray in the FIA GT Championship, Scheider longed to return to the DTM scene.

"It was always my goal to return to the DTM which is the world’s best racing series alongside Formula 1 and I’m extremely pleased to have succeeded in doing. In 2005 I got behind the wheel of the Audi race taxi at the Norisring and it was the best DTM car that I have ever driven. Since then it was perfectly clear to me that I wanted to join Audi,” said Scheider.

Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich is convinced that Scheider is the best candidate.

"Timo has shown that he is one of the fastest in a DTM car. He brings with him five years of DTM experience and is an intelligent and stylish guy who fits the Audi brand perfectly”.

Belgian born, Vanina Ickx will contest the 2006 DTM in an Audi A4 DTM in the new DTM team run by Dr David Kolles, Managing Director Midland Formula 1.

Daughter of former Formula 1 driver and six-time Le Mans winner, Jacky Ickx, Vanina started her career in 1996, at the age of 21. She caught the attention of the public following a class win and podium position at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. To date she has competed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and in the Dakar Rally and narrowly missed winning the Le Mans Endurance Series (LMES) title in an LMP 1 sports car last year.

"I’m absolutely delighted about the prospect of starting for Audi in the DTM,” said Vanina.

The qualified biologist weighs in at a little over 55 kilogrammes and stands 1.55 metres tall and is anything but timid.

Vanina thrives on speed and competition. She loves to parachute and holds, at 136 km/h, the speed record on skis down a ski jump.