DTM:Audi sign German duo for 2007

[Plex]

Audi have signed German duo Mike Rockenfeller and Lucas Luhr to their DTM effort next year.

The pair, who have spent the last few years as factory-contracted Porsche drivers, will drive in not only the DTM, but also the Le Mans 24 hours in 2007 as Audi look for a fourth-straight win in the French classic.

"It is important to us that our drivers can also make a valuable contribution to the sportscar project with the Audi R10 TDI," said Audi's motorsport chief Dr Wolfgang Ullrich.

"Lucas and Mike can do this. I'm convinced that they are a strong addition to our driver line-up at Le Mans and in the DTM and will fit in at Audi very well.

Rockenfeller, 23, has established himself as one of the top GT drivers in the world since over the past three years, as he took victory in the GT2 class of the Le Mans 24 hours in 2005 and also ended up as FIA champion of the same class come the end of the year. 2006 saw him add an overall victory for Porsche in the Nurburging 24 hours.

Luhr, 27, meanwhile, is the reigning champion of the American Le Mans Series' LMP2 class, adding to his two previous GT2 titles in the series, his FIA GT2 class championship in 2004, and his pair of Le Mans GT2 victories - all in Porsches.

It has not yet been decided which of Audi's four teams the pair will be placed in, but an announcement is expected some time in mid-January.

Eurosport.com