Feb.18 (GMM) Ralf Schumacher has now signed a contract to race with Mercedes-Benz in the German touring car series (DTM) in 2008, according to a German newspaper.

Bild reports that 32-year-old Schumacher, who lost his Toyota seat at the end of last season, has travelled to Stuttgart to formalise the $1 million, one-year (with an option for 2009) deal.

Elsewhere, it has emerged that 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve's new NASCAR foray has come to a halt, seemingly because he was unable to secure a major sponsor for his number-27 Bill Davis entry.

The French Canadian will, however, return to Le Mans later this year, amid news that current F1 testers Christian Klien (BMW Sauber), Alex Wurz (Honda) and Marc Gene (Ferrari) will also contest the famous 24 hour race with Peugeot.