Dumbreck to make Mercedes return as all new DTM kicks off

Everyone feared the worst when Dumbreck's CLR lost downforce on the Mulsanne straight and launched into the air. The car rotated end over end and landed in the trees next to the track. He escaped with only concussion.

Despite the spectacular yet severe nature of the accident, Dumbreck does not feel at all phased by it. In fact quite the opposite. Talking to The Daily Telegraph he said: "Escaping from something like that gives you a massive inside strength. You feel as though no one can touch you."

Dumbreck's steed for this weekend is a CLK-DTM, the latest offering from Mercedes for the all new German Touring Car Series. The car will line up for Sunday's race amidst a smattering of other CLK's, several Astra Coupes and three Audi TT's.

The AMG built Mercedes was the first of the trio of cars to hit the track. Despite its early favourite status, predictions of a three-pointed star whitewash are wide of the mark based on the back of pre-season testing.

Top of the time sheets from the last test at Hockenheim went to the Astra V8 Coupe, and Opel maintains it will not be disadvantaged by the Astra's shorter wheelbase. The privateer Abt Sportsline team will have their work cut out to keep its Audi TT's up with the factory outfits.

Dumbreck however, will hope to put his Persson Motorsport Mercedes firmly at the front of the grid, and his wheels firmly on the ground.