Dumbreck to partner Schneider?

The 28-year-old enjoyed a storming start to his DTM career, taking two second places at the Sachsenring in his Persson-run Mercedes CLK despite the fact it was his first season in tin-tops. He slipped to eighth in the championship by the end of the season, but had run in the top six for most of it.

A Mercedes spokesman denied that a decision had been taken on the Three Pointed Star's line up for 2001, but did state that "several" of Merc's 2000 drivers would be kept on for this season, including champion Schneider and last year's top rookie, Marcel Fassler from Switzerland.

"Nothing has been fixed or confirmed," said the spokesman. Of Dumbreck's chance of a seat alongside Schneider at HWA, he added: "These are just rumours."

Dumbreck said: "A move to HWA would be the best I could hope for. I'm just going to have to wait and see what Mercedes decides."

The Scot tested alongside Schneider at Jarama in Spain at the end of last year, but it was his performances from last season which are believed to have impressed the Mercedes hierarchy to give him a chance of what is regarded as one of the best seats in the DTM.

Another driver to be linked to Mercedes' top team - which has to fill the gap left by the retiring Klaus Ludwig - is former Opel star Uwe Alzen, who was sacked for punting off team leader Manuel Reuter in the season finale at Hockenheim. Former Audi Junior Team racer Hubert Haupt has been linked to a second Opel Astra run by Euroteam, while hopes of a link up between Prodrive and Opel appear to be dwindling.