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DTM legend Bernd Schneider to race Mercedes in Blancpain Sprint

DTM legend Bernd Schneider is set to contest the first three rounds of the Blancpain Sprint Series with the new GT Russia Mercedes squad

The Mercedes ambassador and test driver, who has been a regular in long-distance events aboard the German manufacturer's SLS AMG since 2011, is confirmed for this weekend's BSS opener at Nogaro and the Zolder round in June and is hoping to race in the British round at Brands Hatch in May.

The 50-year-old will share the GT Russian Team Mercedes entered in the Pro-Am class with former German Formula 3 Cup racer Alexey Karachev.

"Alexey has found some sponsors, who want me to do some races with him to help him a little bit," five-time DTM champion Schneider told AUTOSPORT.

"It should be for the first three races, although at the moment I have an event planned that clashes with Brands Hatch.

"I really hope I can do Brands, because I have never raced on the Grand Prix circuit and everyone tells me that it is an amazing track."

The BSS outings will mark the first time Schneider has competed in a sprint event since 2012.

One-off appearances at the Baku City Challenge and a round of the Australian GT Championship that year have been his only non-endurance races since his retirement from the DTM at the end of 2008.

Schneider will also contest the Blancpain Endurance Series opener at Monza on April 12 with GT Russian, which was set up at the end of last year and contested 2014's last two Blancpain sprints and the endurance finale at the Nurburgring.

He also hopes to return to the Spa 24 Hours, a race he won in 2013 driving for HTP Motorsport, with the Black Falcon Mercedes team.

Schneider explained that his driver ranking has been downgraded from platinum to gold status after turning 50, which will allow him to join a line-up in the Pro-Am class.

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