N.techology to represent Alfa Romeo.

While Alfa Romeo will not be present in the World Touring Car Championship this season as an official works entry, the Italian marque will have a presence on the grid following confirmation that N.technology will field three cars in the series.

The team, led by Mauro and Monica Sipsz, will also compete for the manufacturers' championship and will feature two new drivers compared to the Alfa Romeo line-up of twelve months ago.

The announcement that Alfa Romeo wouldn't enter a works team saw Fabrizio Giovanardi depart the world scene to join the VX Racing BTCC team while James Thompson and Gabriele Tarquini will both race for SEAT in the WTCC this term.

It leaves young Brazilian Augusto Farfus - who secured his maiden WTCC victory in the final round of last season at Macau - as the only driver to stay with the Alfa squad for 2006, where he will be joined by former F1 driver Gianni Morbidelli and former Italian Super Production title winner Salvatore Tavano.

The three N.technology drivers will test with the Alfa Romeo 156 later this week at Magny-Cours ahead of the opening round of the year at Monza next month.