Haug: Ralf will be a new man in DTM

Schumacher's move to the German touring car championship was confirmed on Monday, with the former Grand Prix winner signing up to race a year-old Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

And although Schumacher was never the most popular of drivers in F1, Haug is expecting him to receive a very different reception from fans in the DTM.

"With the attitude Ralf showed during the tests and in our conversations, I am convinced that the DTM will experience a new driver - with skills, concentration and who has everything to inspire both the crowd and his team," said Haug.

"Ralf will soon have a new image and I think that in his first year in the DTM this will not be based on his results but on his commitment to fight sportsmanlike. He will be hard and fair, with an extremely tough competition and thus to learn to improve to the top step-by-step.

"I admire Ralf for his commitment to compete, which is what you experience only with a good and fully motivated sportsman."

Despite expecting Schumacher to be a popular addition, Haug thinks that the German will not be fighting at the front of the grid.

"It is clear that in the DTM, Ralf has at first to get used to starting positions with two-digit numbers, and that during his learning year he probably will start from the last third of the field rather than from the second third.

"But Ralf is ready to go this way of learning and our technical team will support him entirely."

Haug also confirmed that Schumacher's deal to race in the DTM did not depend on him being granted any special status within the German car manufacturer's squad.

"Ralf did not ask us for an F1 bonus in his salary, nor did he require a special status within the team - and compliments for this attitude. This is only correct and therefore the best pre-condition for his new career."