19 November 2002: Alfa Romeo has confirmed that it will compete in the European Touring Car Championships 2003, again running with three 156s through the Nordauto GTA Racing Team. The drivers for the coming year will be Nicola Larini, Gabriele Tarquini and Roberto Colciago.

Three Alfa Romeo 156s, under the management of Nordauto GTA Racing Team, were totally dominant for the ten events which comprised the European Touring Car Championship 2002. Having won the Manufacturers’ Championship in 2001 and 2002, the team started the ‘03 season with five victories- Magny Cours, Silverstone, Brno, Jarama and Anderstorp. Then the FIA decided to change the rules to handicap the Alfas.

In the first race after the rules change came into effect (Oschersleben, Germany) the Nordauto team could only manage 6th place. However for the next race-and all that followed, Alfa’s were once again the dominant force, reeling off wins at Spa, Pergusa, Donnington and Estoril. This gave the Nordauto Alfas their third consecutive Manufacturers’ Championship with the 156 and team driver Fabrizio Giovanardi won the Drivers’ Championship.