Dumbreck admits victories will be hard

With ex-Formula 1 star Jean Alesi being signed by the works AMG Mercedes squad, Dumbreck has been relegated to the Persson team which ran older specification CLKs in 2001. That trend of using year-old cars is expected to continue this season too, albeit with the same new bodyshells that the latest AMG models will feature.

"Things are looking difficult for me," said Dumbreck at the AUTOSPORT International show in Birmingham. "It looks like I might be driving a year-old car which means any chance of winning races is gone."

Last year Dumbreck proved to be a potential champion, winning one race at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz. But for this season he has accepted that bettering last year's third place in the championship will be hard.

"Obviously, it is not ideal but it is Mercedes' decision and they pay the wages," he added. "They want certain drivers from certain nationalities in certain cars. I just hope I can score some podium finishes."

Dumbreck reckons Alesi will be good for the DTM, but does not think the Frenchman will find it easy in the German-based tin-top series. "I don't think he'll come in and blow anyone's doors off," he said. "But he is obviously quick and will bring prestige to the championship."

The first round takes place at Hockenheim on April 21.