The world famous Piazza del Duomo, in the heart of Milan’s old city will form a truly stunning backdrop to the FIA World Touring Car Championship racers, including the highly successful Alfa Romeo 156 S2000, just days prior to the new season's opening encounter at the famous Monza circuit, home of the Italian Grand Prix.

On Thursday 7th April, just a matter of a few days before battle commences in the newly formed, and eagerly awaited, FIA World Touring Car Championship, all the factory contenders will be exhibited in the square alongside the main approach to the stunning 14th Century Gothic Cathedral. The 'Duomo' is the very emblem of the historic Cty of Milan, and features a distinctive stature of the Virgin Mary on a ten metre steeple, among its many charms and wonders.

Joining the Alfa Romeo 156 S2000 in the display which will be located in the pedestrian zone on the north side of the cathedral, will be factory contenders from regular FIA European Touring Car Championship rivals, BMW and SEAT, as well as cars from the three new series entrants, Ford, Brilliance and Chevrolet.

This year sees the FIA European Touring Car Championship, itself revived just half a decade ago, now growing into a fully fledged, FIA-sanctioned World Touring Car Championship, thrusting the tin-top cars onto the big global stage for the first time since an ill-fated, one-off world series was held back in 1987.

Alfa Romeo's fully fledged factory outfit, is once again running under the Autodelta brand name. With the ousting late last year of Daniele Bandiera as Alfa Romeo CEO, and the arrival of his successor in the shape of the no-nonsense former BMW executive Karl-Heinz Kalbfell, the resultant reshuffle has seen the racing programme's top management and engineering personnel strengthened as Alfa Romeo seek to mount a serious challenge for top honours, and fend off its four factory-backed challengers, led out as usual by their perennial touring car rivals, BMW.
 

Autodelta welcomes back its three drivers from last year: former European Champion's Fabrizio Giovanardi and Gabriele Tarquini, and young Brazilian hot shot Augusto Farfus Junior. Joining this trio for a full WTCC ingcampaign will be reigning English Tour Car Champion James Thompson who has run a limited race programme for Autodelta during the last two ETCC seasons.

The Duomo - Milan's famous Cathedral

The Duomo, Milan's legendary Cathedral, lays claim to being one of the world's largest and most famous churches. Commissioned in 1386 by Gian Galeazzo Visconti, it is constructed out of marble and boasts no less than 135 spires and 3,400 statues.

It was only completed in the early 19th Century when Napoleon Bonaparte, seeking a venue to be crowned King of Italy, hurried the completion of the façade forward. Originally it was Gothic in style, but during the intervening centuries of its long and tortuous construction it became influenced by the styles of the day, which saw the plans modified several times, and this accounts for its fascinating mixture of architectural styles.

From the vast roof visitors are presented with unrivalled viewing of the sprawling city, panoramic views that stretch as far as the Alps are to be had. Rising high above the Duomo is a four metre high gilded statue of the Madonna. Added in 1774, it is know at the Madonnina, or 'Little Madonna'.

The racing cars will be located on a paved area facing the famous Vittorio Emanuele II arcade, home to many of Milan's most fashionable, luxurious and expensive boutiques. A number of the WTCC drivers will also be present on 7th April to meet the crowds and sign autographs.