Mercedes officializes its 2008 lineup!

The Mercedes team officially announced its 2008 line-up today at the Geneva Motor Show.

The season will start in just over a month, and the German team has confirmed the presence of Ralf Schumacher (former F1 driver) in a 2007 version Class-C. Maro Engel (former F3 driver) and Gary Paffett (McLaren F1 test driver) will also use 2007 specifications.

The other drivers in the team, using 2008 versions, have experienced little change since the latest official announcements. The Briton, Paul di Resta, has indeed been promoted to a more up-to-date Class-C touring model, while Bernd Schneider, Bruno Spengler, and Jamie Green will retain their place in the more recent versions of the Mercedes as well.

The brand will therefore use nine cars and nine drivers this year. The other two drivers, Susie Stoddart and Mathias Lauda, who were supposed to drive 2008 versions, will ultimately be behind the wheel of 2007 cars.

Norbert Haug, the director of Mercedes Motorsport, is convinced that all the drivers in their lineup are capable of winning at least one race this season.

« Five of our drivers have already won at least one race last season », he commented. « This clearly shows that with the best possible car, all our drivers can score points. »

« We will have a strong team in 2008 and I am sure that the new season will experience very strong enthusiasm and will have an even higher level than last year. » Continues the 54-year-old German.

Di Resta was offered the opportunity to race with a 2008 single-seater after making his debut last season with 2006 versions of Class-C. He appreciates this promotion: « Four podiums and seven points scored in 10 races last year, it’s not so bad for a first season in DTM! »

« I am therefore very happy to stay with Mercedes, and especially that the team has more confidence in me than in 2007!