Lehto tests for Opel

Former Formula 1 driver JJ Lehto successfully completed initial test drives with the Opel Astra V8 Coupé in Dijon, France. The Finn was impressed by the 462 hp strong DTM touring car: "The DTM Opel is very good to drive, I immediately felt comfortable in the cockpit," said the 36-year-old Lehto, who raced the 24 Hours at Le Mans for Cadillac this season as well as competing in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). "I expected the change from a sports prototype to a touring car to be more difficult."

JJ Lehto tested the Astra V8 Coupé at the invitation of Volker Strycek, head of Opel motorsport. "We have known and appreciate JJ since the 1995 and 1996 DTM/ITC seasons, when he was successfully racing the Opel Calibra V6. We never lost contact with him. And the fact that he is now under contract with GM's Cadillac division presented a welcome opportunity to do this test," said Strycek.

In addition to the 62-time Grand Prix driver, Opel works drivers Manuel Reuter (Opel Team Phoenix) and Timo Scheider (Opel Team Holzer) completed an extensive testing programme. Reuter drove his competition car on Tuesday morning and Wednesday afternoon, whilst Scheider surrendered the test car to Lehto at noon on Wednesday. "This was a good test, which gave us the chance to sort out some set-up options," said Manuel Reuter. "The test clearly put us several steps ahead so that we're now well set to tackle the remaining three races of the season." The eighth of the ten DTM meetings will be staged at the Austrian A1-Ring on 8 September.

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