Schneider keen to see Whincup test DTM car

Touring car legend Bernd Schneider is keen to see Jamie Whincup drive a DTM car following an impressive showing by the seven-time Supercars champion at last weekend’s Bathurst 12 Hour.

The five-time German DTM champion travelled to Australia as an advisor to Mercedes-AMG teams at Mount Panorama, including the SunEnergy1 outfit that fielded Whincup, in what was only his second career GT3 event.

Whincup proved to be one of the star drivers of the race as he helped the Scott Taylor Motorsport run entry to second after a solitary test day in the Mercedes-AMG GT3 prior to the race.

His drive also boosted an impressive Bathurst 12 Hour record, having won the race at his first attempt for Maranello Motorsport last year.

After overseeing the Australian’s efforts, Schneider, a former Bathurst 12 Hour winner in 2013, heaped praise on the reigning Supercars champion and the championship’s other representatives in the race.

Whincup’s performance even prompted Schneider to express an interest in putting the Triple Eight ace in a DTM touring car.

“We (Mercedes-AMG) are happy to have drivers like Jamie in our cars,” Schneider told Speedcafe.com.

“It would be good to see him in a DTM car to see how he goes, but I think it is good that Australia has such a hero.

“I think the best V8 drivers can drive anywhere in the world and can be competitive. They are fast to adapt to completely different cars.”

Responding to Schneider’s comments, Whincup was flattered by the praise from a driver he regards among touring car racing’s greatest.

The 35-year-old has largely dedicated his career to Supercars and has only expanded his horizons to GT racing as recently as last year.

Whincup has contemplated the prospect of racing overseas but only once his Supercars career is over, but believes a DTM run is unlikely.

“To hear that (from Schneider) is honourable as he is one of the legends of touring car racing, if not the greatest of all time,” Whincup told Speedcafe.com.

“I just go out there and race. The concept is the same you have four black things touching the ground, a go and a stop pedal, and you just try to maximise that.

“These GT cars are a different art they require a bit more but they are good fun.

“While I love driving them, I love my Supercar more than you can believe.

“It (DTM) is another world.

“It would take time to get up to speed. If I had five test days I would be fine but its not going to happen.

“It just comes down to time, no doubt I’d love to do some more overseas stuff, but I don’t have the time.”

Whincup kick-started preparations for an unprecedented bid for an eighth Supercars title by completing a shakedown of his new Triple Eight ZB Commodore at Queensland Raceway on Friday.