Photo: DTM Media

The end of a giant – Schneider retires

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Touring Car-legend Bernd Schnieder will take part in his last Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters at Hockenheim this coming weekend. The 44-year-old German has completed a total of 226 races of which he has won 32. No other DTM-driver has been more successful.
“The time to leave has now come, and it gives rise to conflicting emotions,” said Schneider.

“On the one hand I am sorry to be saying “Good Bye” to the many friends I have made in motor sports, and above all in the AMG, HWA and Mercedes-Benz teams over the last 17 years. On the other hand I am looking forward to facing my exciting new challenges.”

Schneider’s first real success came in 1980 when he won the Kart Junior World Championship. After that he moved on to the German Formula 3 which he won in 1987.

Scheider made it all the way to Formula One, but only stayed there for two years, 1988 and 1989, with Zaakspeed.

In 1992 the German entered the Mercedes family and his statistics since then are are one of a kind:

226 completed races
43 wins
100 podium finishes
59 fastest laps
25 pole positions
Champion in 1995, 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2006

A true giant will put his helmet on the shelf. Schneider will remain in the Mercedes-family, although not racing.

“Now I am looking forward to the new challenge as an instructor, test driver and brand ambassador for Mercedes-AMG.”