Reuter and Schneider switch sides for a day

Mercedes ace Schneider drove the 2000-spec Phoenix-run Opel Astra that will be driven by Yves Olivier this season, while Opel's star man Reuter got behind the wheel of Schneider's title winning car from last year. Both drew the same conclusion from their experience.

"The cars are unbelievably different," said Schneider. "Even with the same rules, the Opel is really different to our one. Handling, power, engine - everything was different. We just did three timed runs each, so it wasn't really enough to get proper experience of the car, but it was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed it."

Reuter's run was delayed slightly while the AMG mechanics gave him a much harder brake pedal, highlighting their diverse driving preferences.

"Power was really disappointing, I really have to say," said a deadpan Reuter of 'his' CLK. "It was very interesting. We have so many base [common] parts - like the tyres, brakes and gearbox - but it was a completely different car, a different world almost. The steering, the braking, the [gear] shifting were poles apart."

The end result was that Schneider came out on top by some nine-tenths of a second. Pleasantries aside, they will recommence battle for DTM honours for real at Hockenheim on April 22.