Following in the wheeltracks of such
Formula 1 luminaries as Mika Hakkinen, Jean Alesi, Heinz-Harald Frentzen and now
Ralf Schumacher, it has been rumoured that Jacques Villeneuve may make the move across to the DTM in the near future.
After years in single-seaters, the 1997
F1 World Champion has spent the past few seasons competing with a roof over his head, in NASCAR, with Peugeot at Le Mans and most recently in the form of a couple of guest outings in the inaugural Speedcar Series in the Middle East.
Reports in Germany are now suggesting the French-Canadian could be handed a test with Mercedes as was Schumacher prior to his signing for the three-pointed star earlier this year. The German went on to finish 14th on his debut in the pan-European tin-top series at Hockenheim last weekend.
It has been mooted that Villeneuve may have met with Mercedes-Benz Motorsport Vice-President Norbert Haug in the Bahrain paddock as F1 and Speedcar sat on the same bill a week-and-a-half ago. The French-Canadian has expressed hopes that he may yet resurrect his NASCAR career which stalled over financial issues and he is due to race for Peugeot at la Sarthe again in June.
DTM boss Hans-Werner Aufrecht, however, has hinted that the championship should do its utmost to attract the 37-year-old's interest, telling German newspaper
Bild: He would certainly be a great addition to our series.
If a well-known driver like Villeneuve is available, we should strive to get him.
I could imagine him having a test drive, added Haug.
