Rosberg to test Mercedes DTM car at Hockenheim

Nico Rosberg is set to test a DTM car this weekend.

The event will be a showpiece at Hockenheim as the 2011 German touring car championship kicks off.

According to Bild newspaper, the 25-year-old German will be appearing for Mercedes, for whom he races in formula one.

The report said the outing will be Rosberg’s first proper run in a DTM car.

"As a racing driver I grew up in the DTM, on the programme with the Formula BMW Junior and Formula 3 series," he said.

"But I’ve never driven a DTM car, except from a few metres at the end of last season for the victory party for Paul di Resta’s championship in Stuttgart," added Rosberg.

Meanwhile, F1 engines were firing on Wednesday at Duxford (UK) aerodrome, where alongside the Caterham announcement Team Lotus test driver Ricardo Teixeira was straight-line testing the T128.

According to Speed Week, Bruno Senna was also in action for Renault with a similar aerodynamic test at Duxford, and the Brazilian will now travel to Spa-Francorchamps to demonstrate the team’s F1 car during the World Series event.

"I will have the 2010 car on Saturday and Sunday," Senna confirmed to Globo. "The basic idea is to entertain the crowd but it’s also a chance for me to keep in action."