Skoda confirms Schwarz

The German, who last drove for Skoda in 2001, will start a run of seven events at the Acropolis Rally in June, and is confident that the Czech marque's Fabia WRC has "great potential" after recent gravel tests.

"I was very curious to find out in detail about the Fabia's potential," said Schwarz. "After an entire week of testing, I can say that the potential of the car is great.

"Another point for me to find out about myself behind the wheel was how the car reacts to changes of the set-up. Here again, I found the car reacted precisely to changes of the springs, adjustments of the shocks, the differentials and different positions of the roll centre.

"Apart from really nasty weather on the first day, everything went according to our schedule. We know now precisely where we are and what the direction of our work is going to be. That's a solid feeling."

Schwarz's programme of events will also include WRC rounds in Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Corsica and Spain.