Abt expects '06 Audis to struggle

Mercedes won both rounds at Hockenheim last season, and Abt feels that there was little his team could do to their 2006-specification car to turn that around this year.

"I come with mixed feelings to Hockenheim," he said. "I'm afraid that we'll have a touch time in last years car against the year-old Mercedes."

Mercedes have traditionally had the upper hand over Audi at the German track, and while they are confident that their 2007 car is an improvement, Abt is not particularly upbeat about his own chances.

"The 2006 car was already extremely well sorted last year, so there was hardly any room to make it quicker over the winter," he added.

Abt will be expected to lead the Audi charge in the battle of the 2006 cars, as Audi's three other 2006 cars will be driven by Lucas Luhr, Mike Rockenfeller, and Alexandre Premat, who will all be making their DTM debut next weekend.