Chinese racing driver 'Frankie' Cheng Congfu will compete for Mercedes in the German touring car (DTM) championship this year, the carmaker said on Thursday.
The 25-year-old, who six years ago became the first driver born in mainland China to get behind the wheel of a Formula One car when he did a demonstration run in a McLaren, will be the first Chinese in the series that starts at Hockenheim on April 25.
Cheng will be racing against a field that includes former F1 drivers Ralf Schumacher and David Coulthard as well as current McLaren reserve Gary Paffett and Force India's Paul di Resta.
"It will be a great challenge for me to race in the DTM," he said. "I know I will have to learn a lot in this highly competitive championship but I will give it my all to thank everybody for their confidence."
