Two special programmes headlined by Jean Alesi and Mika Häkkinen
Four top-line car manufacturers are lining up to claim this year’s DTM championship, recognised by many as the most prestigious touring car championship in the world. Contested on exciting race circuits throughout Europe, the championship this year reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ of international motor sport. And fans can see the contest unfold live in all its drama on Motors TV – Channel 413 on your Digital Sky System.
For 2005, four constructors will fight for the title: Mercedes, Audi, Opel and MG. The driver line-up is more international than ever. Headlining are Mika Häkkinen (two-time Formula One champion), Jean Alesi, Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Tom Kristensen (six-time Le Mans 24-Hour winner), Allan McNish, Rinaldo Capello (also winners at Le Mans), Laurent Aiello (2002 DTM champion), Bernd Schneider (1995, 2000, 2001 and 2003 DTM champion). Challenging them will be the up-an-coming Mattias Ekström (2004 DTM champion) and British star Gary Paffett (2004 DTM runner-up).
As has been the tradition for the last two years, Motors TV will be on the air live for the Saturday qualifying sessions (Saturday from 12 noon-1pm) as well as the eleven rounds of the series (Sunday from 12:45pm-2:30pm).
To mark the beginning of the championship, Motors TV will be airing two very special programmes dedicated to the series, which had an average attendance of more than 70 000 spectators at each race.
The first show will introduce the key players of the DTM - its drivers and teams (26 minutes). This is a detailed preview of the season and will include an exclusive interview with the 1998 and 1999 F1 World Champion, Mika Häkkinen, who will make his return to motor racing after a two year sabbatical. This programme will have its first airing on Saturday 2nd April.
The second programme will follow the same theme as Citizen Bourdais and Loeb Champion, produced this past winter by Motors TV and will feature Jean Alesi (26 minutes). A close up and personal visit with one of France’s most popular drivers. An exclusive first look at the Avignon street circuit that will host the DTM on 18th September. First airing: Saturday 9th April.
