Schneider tips Dumbreck as main rival

Schneider has been joined in the lead D2 AMG Mercedes squad by Dumbreck over the winter and has already likened him to fellow Scot Dario Franchitti, who was Schneider's team mate in 1995 and '96 and pushed him hard.

"I think Peter is one of the main guys to beat in this championship," said Schneider. "I think he made the grade easily last year and he's really quick, just like Dario was. Peter was unbelievably fast in the last test, and Franchitti was something special in '96, so I hope we'll get on well together.

Dumbreck is buoyant over his chances of success this season after what is effectively a promotion to the top AMG squad. Although he's a self-confessed Schneider fan, the Scot says he will pull no punches to get the better of the driver who is regarded as the Michael Schumacher of the DTM.

"I'm relishing the challenge," said Dumbreck. "It's a fantastic chance for me. I want to measure myself against Schneider and my aim is to beat him. I don't want to just get close, I really want to beat him. No-one, not even Bernd Schneider, is unbeatable."

Over the winter Mercedes has attempted to bond its driving strength with a number of team exercises at its numerous fitness camps. Schneider says the atmosphere within the Three Pointed Star's camp is better than ever.

"There are 10 guys in the Mercedes team who are all good friends," added Schneider. "I don't know how that's going to work on the circuit this year, but so far we've had a lot of fun together."