Confirming rumours that former Sauber F1 driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen is finished with Formula One, Opel has today confirmed the news by announcing that the German will take to the wheel of an Opel Vectra GTS V8 in the DTM series next year.

The triple Grand Prix winner today signed his contract at Adam Opel AG headquarters in Rüsselsheim, Germany.

"I realized immediately the whole team is highly motivated. I think the prerequisites for winning races exist. The challenge is to contribute my share to the team's success," Frentzen said.

Carl-Peter Forster, Chairman and Managing Director of Adam Opel AG, welcomed the new driver 'as a strong fighter and highly popular racer, who is an excellent match for the Opel brand'.

"Frentzen has never given up – even when the going got tough," said Forster, "That's what makes him special."

In addition to three Grand Prix victories, Frentzen's Formula One career [1993-2003] includes second in the 1997 World-Championship.

For Opel, the relationship with Frentzen goes back a long way: In the 1988 season, he drew attention to his skills at the wheel of a Formula Opel Lotus, clinching the German Championship title.

In addition to Frentzen, Marcel Fässler, Peter Dumbreck and Manuel Reuter will be in the cockpits of DTM Vectras at the season opener at Hockenheim.