Field close in pre-race Adria test.

In tropical conditions, the test day that precedes this weekend's second round of the DTM once again showed just how closely matched the three manufacturers in the series can be.

In the second of two 90-minute sessions at the new Adria International Raceway in Italy, the first 16 drivers were separated by a mere eight-tenths of a second. Mercedes-Benz-driver Christijan Albers set the fastest time of the day, lapping in 1min 18.812secs in the afternoon session, while three other Mercedes drivers helped to occupy the first four places. However, the quartet was separated by only 0.08secs, promising close competition and a highly exciting race around the tight Venetian course on Sunday.

Peter Dumbreck, who has already proven to be the fastest Opel driver in the season opener at Hockenheim, was fifth fastest in the afternoon with his Astra V8 Coup?.

After today's test, it is clear that it will be extremely hard on Sunday," the Scot said, "You have to take care of the car, and the tyres, but also your own power."

Hockenheim winner Bernd Schneider, who had been fastest man in the morning, agreed, claiming that the track was "really hard for man and machine."

Mattias Ekstr?m got his first taste of the 2.702km circuit, having missed the pre-season test there, but the Swede was still the fastest driver of the Abt-Audi team, in
sixth place.

"The track is really fun and it suits me," he reported, "I know such tracks very well from back home but, so far, only from karting!"

Frenchman Jean Alesi, who was fourth in the afternoon with his Mercedes-Benz CLK-DTM, turned out to be more impressed with the venue than he had expected.

"I really like this track," he enthused, "Moreover, I am happy to be racing in Italy again. The many banners from the fans along the track proved to be a great motivation
today already."

Leading performances - Adria (9 May):

Morning session:

Bernd Schneider Mercedes-Benz 1min 12.420secsJean Alesi Mercedes-Benz 1min 12.522secsMarcel F?ssler Mercedes-Benz 1min 12.779secsAlain Menu Opel 1min 13.003secsBernd Mayl?nder Mercedes-Benz 1min 13.056secsChristijan Albers Mercedes-Benz 1min 13.139secsPeter Dumbreck Opel 1min 13.229secsMattias Ekstr?m Audi 1min 13.261secsJoachim Winkelhock Opel 1min 13.264secsThomas J?ger Mercedes-Benz 1min 13.290secs

Afternoon session:

Christijan Albers Mercedes-Benz 1min 11.812secsMarcel F?ssler Mercedes-Benz 1min 11.815secsBernd Schneider Mercedes-Benz 1min 11.877secsJean Alesi Mercedes-Benz 1min 11.889secsPeter Dumbreck Opel 1min 11.912secsMattias Ekstr?m Audi 1min 11.965secsTimo Scheider Opel 1min 12.363secsThomas J?ger Mercedes-Benz 1min 12.370secsChristian Abt Audi 1min 12.385secsLaurent Aiello Audi 1min 12.385secs