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'''Bernd Schneider''' (born 20th July, 1964 in St. Ingbert, West Germany) is a German former racing driver.
'''Bernd Schneider''' (20th July, 1964 in St. Ingbert, West Germany - 30th April, 1994 in Bologna, Italy) was a German racing driver known for his appearances in [[Formula One]] and [[WTCM]]. Schneider was considered as one of the best touring car drivers of his generation with successes on both the domestic and international stages. After three seasons with Opel and Vauxhall in the [[WTCM]], Schneider managed to secure a full-time [[Formula One]] seat with [[Rial]]. Early into his sophomore campaign with [[Simtek]] in [[1994 Alternate Formula One season|1994]], Schneider was killed in qualifying for the [[San Marino Grand Prix]]. From there on, Vauxhall Sport retired the car number 5 and instead began using #32 in their WTCM program as a mark of respect for the German's motorsport legacy.


==[[Alternate International F3000|F3000]]==
==[[Alternate International F3000|F3000]]==
Schneider entered the International F3000 series in [[1988_Alternate_International_F3000_season|1988]] with the Forti Corse team. He was a regular points scorer and finished the year in eighth place - having taken one win at the Imola round.
Schneider entered the International F3000 series in [[1988_Alternate_International_F3000_season|1988]] with the Forti Corse team. He was a regular points scorer and finished the year in eighth place after taking his maiden F3000 victory at the Imola round.


He continued with Forti in [[1989_Alternate_International_F3000_season|1989]], taking a best result of third place at the season opener at Silverstone - enough for 15th place.
He continued with Forti in [[1989_Alternate_International_F3000_season|1989]], taking a best result of third place at the season opener at Silverstone - enough for 15th place.


==[[WTCM]]==
==[[WTCM]]==
===1988===
===1988: Mercedes-Benz===
Schneider's F3000 efforts earned him a handful of rounds with the Works Mercedes-Benz team in the inaugural [[World Touring Car Masters]] championship in [[1988 World Touring Car Masters season|1988]]. His drives came about after regular driver [[Jerry Mahony]] was released from his contract due to a string of poor performances. Schneider shared the car with former Grand Prix driver [[Jochen Mass]] and scored a pair of wins at Monza.
Schneider's F3000 efforts earned him a handful of rounds with the Works Mercedes-Benz team in the inaugural [[World Touring Car Masters]] championship in [[1988 World Touring Car Masters season|1988]]. His drives came about after regular driver [[Jerry Mahony]] was released from his contract due to a string of poor performances. Schneider shared the car with former Grand Prix driver [[Jochen Mass]] and scored a pair of wins at Monza.


===1990===
===1990-1992: Opel/Vauxhall===
Schneider returned to the WTCM in [[1990_World_Touring_Car_Masters_season|1990]], being signed for the Works Opel Team Irmscher outfit alongside [[Volker Strycek]].
Schneider returned to the WTCM in [[1990_World_Touring_Car_Masters_season|1990]], being signed for the Works Opel Team Irmscher outfit alongside [[Volker Strycek]]. Consistent results throughout the season (including 10 class wins) meant that Schneider won the Class D championship with a handful of races left.
 
Schneider remained at [[Irmscher]] in [[1991_World_Touring_Car_Masters_season|1991]], however this time under the banner of Vauxhall Sport. He was partnered by 1988 series champion [[Tim Harvey]] as the pair became the two highest-paid drivers on the grid. With the Cavalier being one of the best cars on the grid, Schneider got off to a quick start as he took his first win in the opening race of the season. He followed this win up with another two rounds later at Watkins Glen but was involved in a heavy accident in the Sprint race the following day that ruled him out for 4 rounds and effectively ending his challenge for the title. After missing six races, Schneider made a remarkable return in Monza as he won the Feature round. However, even with several more podium finishes until the end of the season, the Vauxhall started losing ground to BMW and Toyota. In the end, Schneider still finished third overall in the championship with many wondering what could have been if not for his injury.
 
The second year of Bernd Schneider's two-year deal in [[1992_World_Touring_Car_Masters_season|1992]] began in somewhat mixed fashion as the German driver won the Feature race in Japan and taking the championship lead at the end of that weekend. However, the maximum ballast hindered Schneider at the American round and he didn't take any points at Road America.
 
==[[Formula One]]==
Schneider began his [[Formula One]] career with three Grands Prix for [[Rial]]-Porsche in [[1991 Alternate Formula One season|1991]], his best performance being a 14th place finish in the [[Pacific Grand Prix]]. This all hapepend while he was still under contract with Vauxhall in the WTCM, but after a rough 1992 season Schneider contemplated a possible return to F1. Rial, now running their own engines and seeking a replacement for [[Heinz-Harald Frentzen]] who departed for the new [[Sauber]] team, agreed a deal for the [[1993 Alternate Formula One season|1993]] season where the German driver would partner Austrian hotshot [[Karl Wendlinger]].
 
In the fourth round in [[San Marino Grand Prix|San Marino]] Schneider took advantage of the promising Rial package by bringing the car home in 8th position, just in front of his teammate Wendlinger. However, in the very next round in [[Spanish Grand Prix|Spain]] he scored his first career points as well as Rial's first points of the season, after a late retirement by race leader [[Paul Tracy]] moved Schneider into sixth place. The team wouldn't get close to scoring again, but Schneider's heroics in Spain were enough to put Rial in 9th place in the constructor's - accredited with helping the team survive into [[1994 Alternate Formula One season|1994]].
 
Schneider however was pushed out of the Fußgönheim squad in favour of reigning world champion [[Chris Dagnall]] for the [[1994 Alternate Formula One season|1994]] season, meaning he was out of employment. He eschewed a return to touring cars in favour of signing with the new [[Simtek]] squad, partnering [[Eric van de Poele]]. His season wouldn't start off brilliantly, with two out of two retirements at the [[Brazilian Grand Prix|Brazilian]] and [[Pacific Grand Prix|Pacific]] Grands Prix. The next race at [[San Marino Grand Prix|Imola]] however would bring tragedy. During Saturday qualifying, he bumped his front wing on the kerbs at Acque Minerali, it subsequently detached and became stuck underneath the car, lodging underneath the car and sending Schneider into the wall at the high-speed Villeneuve corner at 314.9 km/h (195.7 mph). He was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival. He was 29 years old.
 
==Career Results==
===Complete [[Alternate International Formula 3000|International Formula 3000]] results===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%"
|-
! Year
! Team
! Chassis
! Engine
! 1
! 2
! 3
! 4
! 5
! 6
! 7
! 8
! 9
! 10
! 11
! DC
! Pts
|-
! [[1988 Alternate International F3000 season|1988]]
! Forti Corse
! [[Reynard]] 88D
! [[Ford]] Cosworth DFY 3.0 V8
|bgcolor="#dfffdf"| JER<br /><small>4</small>
|bgcolor="#ffffbf"| '''IMO'''<br /><small>1</small>
|bgcolor="#efcfff"| PAU<br /><small>Ret</small>
|bgcolor="#dfffdf"| SIL<br /><small>6</small>
|bgcolor="#dfffdf"| MNZ<br /><small>4</small>
|bgcolor="#efcfff"| PER<br /><small>Ret</small>
|bgcolor="#cfcfff"| BHA<br /><small>14</small>
|bgcolor="#efcfff"| BIR<br /><small>Ret</small>
|bgcolor="#dfffdf"| BUG<br /><small>5</small>
|bgcolor="#dfffdf"| ZOL<br /><small>6</small>
|bgcolor="#efcfff"| DIJ<br /><small>Ret</small>
! 8th
! 19
|-
! [[1989 Alternate International F3000 season|1989]]
! Forti Corse
! [[Reynard]] 89D
! [[Ford]] Cosworth DFY 3.0 V8
|bgcolor="#ffdf9f"| SIL<br /><small>3</small>
|bgcolor="#cfcfff"| IMO<br /><small>9</small>
|bgcolor="#efcfff"| PAU<br /><small>Ret</small>
|bgcolor="#dfffdf"| JER<br /><small>5</small>
|bgcolor="#cfcfff"| ASS<br /><small>20†</small>
|bgcolor="#efcfff"| PER<br /><small>Ret</small>
|bgcolor="#efcfff"| BHA<br /><small>Ret</small>
|bgcolor="#cfcfff"| BIR<br /><small>12</small>
|bgcolor="#efcfff"| SPA<br /><small>Ret</small>
|bgcolor="#cfcfff"| LEM<br /><small>11</small>
|bgcolor="#cfcfff"| DIJ<br /><small>10</small>
! 15th
! 6
|-
|}
 
===Complete Formula One results===
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%"
|-
! Year
! Entrant
! Chassis
! Engine
! 1
! 2
! 3
! 4
! 5
! 6
! 7
! 8
! 9
! 10
! 11
! 12
! 13
! 14
! 15
! 16
! 17
! WDC
! Points
|-
! [[1991 Alternate Formula One season|1991]]
! [[Rial|Porsche Rial Racing]]
! [[Rial]] ARC3
! [[Porsche]] 3512 3.5 V12
| [[United States Grand Prix|USA]]
| [[Brazilian Grand Prix|BRA]]
|bgcolor="#cfcfff"| [[Pacific Grand Prix|PAC]]<br /><small>14</small>
| [[San Marino Grand Prix|SMR]]
| [[Monaco Grand Prix|MON]]
| [[Canadian Grand Prix|CAN]]
| [[Mexican Grand Prix|MEX]]
| [[French Grand Prix|FRA]]
| [[British Grand Prix|GBR]]
| [[German Grand Prix|GER]]
| [[Hungarian Grand Prix|HUN]]
|bgcolor="#efcfff"| [[Belgian Grand Prix|BEL]]<br /><small>Ret</small>
| [[Italian Grand Prix|ITA]]
| [[Portuguese Grand Prix|POR]]
| [[Spanish Grand Prix|ESP]]
| [[Japanese Grand Prix|JPN]]
|bgcolor="#cfcfff"| [[Australian Grand Prix|AUS‡]]<br /><small>16</small>
! NC
! 0
|-
! [[1993 Alternate Formula One season|1993]]
! [[Rial|Rial Racing]]
! [[Rial]] ARC5
! [[Rial]] 3512 3.5 V12
|bgcolor="#efcfff"| [[South African Grand Prix|RSA]]<br /><small>Ret</small>
|bgcolor="#cfcfff"| [[Brazilian Grand Prix|BRA]]<br /><small>12</small>
|bgcolor="#efcfff"| [[Pacific Grand Prix|PAC]]<br /><small>Ret</small>
|bgcolor="#cfcfff"| [[San Marino Grand Prix|SMR]]<br /><small>8</small>
|bgcolor="#dfffdf"| [[Spanish Grand Prix|ESP]]<br /><small>6</small>
|bgcolor="#efcfff"| [[Monaco Grand Prix|MON]]<br /><small>Ret</small>
|bgcolor="#efcfff"| [[Canadian Grand Prix|CAN]]<br /><small>Ret</small>
|bgcolor="#efcfff"| [[French Grand Prix|FRA]]<br /><small>Ret</small>
|bgcolor="#cfcfff"| [[British Grand Prix|GBR]]<br /><small>10</small>
|bgcolor="#cfcfff"| [[German Grand Prix|GER]]<br /><small>10</small>
|bgcolor="#efcfff"| [[Hungarian Grand Prix|HUN]]<br /><small>Ret</small>
|bgcolor="#efcfff"| [[Belgian Grand Prix|BEL]]<br /><small>Ret</small>
|bgcolor="#efcfff"| [[Italian Grand Prix|ITA]]<br /><small>Ret</small>
|bgcolor="#cfcfff"| [[Portuguese Grand Prix|POR]]<br /><small>9</small>
|bgcolor="#cfcfff"| [[Japanese Grand Prix|JPN]]<br /><small>11</small>
|bgcolor="#efcfff"| [[Australian Grand Prix|AUS]]<br /><small>Ret</small>
|
! 18th
! 1
|-
! [[1994 Alternate Formula One season|1994]]
! [[Simtek|MTV Simtek Yamaha]]
! [[Simtek]] S941
! Yamaha OX10B 3.5 V10
|bgcolor="#efcfff"| [[Brazilian Grand Prix|BRA]]<br><small>Ret</small>
|bgcolor="#efcfff"| [[Pacific Grand Prix|PAC]]<br><small>Ret</small>
| [[San Marino Grand Prix|SMR]]<br><small>DNS</small>
| [[Monaco Grand Prix|MON]]
| [[Spanish Grand Prix|ESP]]
| [[Canadian Grand Prix|CAN]]
| [[French Grand Prix|FRA]]
| [[British Grand Prix|GBR]]
| [[German Grand Prix|GER]]
| [[Hungarian Grand Prix|HUN]]
| [[Belgian Grand Prix|BEL]]
| [[Italian Grand Prix|ITA]]
| [[Portuguese Grand Prix|POR]]
| [[European Grand Prix|EUR]]
| [[Japanese Grand Prix|JPN]]
| [[Australian Grand Prix|AUS]]
|
! —
! 0
|}
 
===Complete WTCM Results===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 85%; text-align:center"
|- valign="top"
!Year
!Team
!Car
!Class
!colspan="29"|
|-
!rowspan=3| [[1988_World_Touring_Car_Masters_season|1988]]
!rowspan=3| Mercedes-Benz AMG Team
!rowspan=3| Mercedes-Benz 190E
!rowspan=3| {{Class-C}} {{MNF}}
!colspan=2| {{AUS}}
!colspan=2| {{JPN}}
!colspan=2| {{USA}}
!colspan=2| {{GER}}
!colspan=2| {{RZA}}
!colspan=2| {{GER}}
!colspan=2| {{FRA}}
!colspan=2| {{GBR}}
!colspan=2| {{ITA}}
!colspan=2| {{BEL}}
!align=center| {{GER}}
!colspan=4|
!valign="middle"| WDC
!valign="middle"| Pts
!align=center| Class
!align=center| Pts
|-
!width=20px| E
!width=20px| S
!width=20px| E
!width=20px| S
!width=20px| E
!width=20px| S
!width=20px| E
!width=20px| S
!width=20px| E
!width=20px| S
!width=20px| E
!width=20px| S
!width=20px| E
!width=20px| S
!width=20px| E
!width=20px| S
!width=20px| E
!width=20px| S
!width=20px| E
!width=20px| S
!width=20px| E
!colspan=4|
!rowspan=2| 30th
!rowspan=2| 18
!rowspan=2| 11th
!rowspan=2| 124
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|bgcolor="#dfffdf"|NOR<br /><small>16</small>
|bgcolor="#cfcfff"|NOR<br /><small>19</small>
|bgcolor="#efcfff"|KYA<br /><small>Ret</small>
|bgcolor="#cfcfff"|KYA<br /><small>25</small>
|bgcolor="#efcfff"|HOC<br /><small>Ret</small>
|bgcolor="#efcfff"|HOC<br /><small>Ret</small>
|bgcolor="#dfffdf"|CHA<br /><small>12</small>
|bgcolor="#cfcfff"|CHA<br /><small>18</small>
|
|
|bgcolor="#dfffdf"|MNZ<br /><small>11</small>
|bgcolor="#cfcfff"|MNZ<br /><small>18</small>
|
|
|
|-
!rowspan=3| [[1990_World_Touring_Car_Masters_season|1990]]
!rowspan=3| Opel Team Irmscher
!rowspan=3| Opel Kadett E GSi 16V
!rowspan=3| {{Class-D}} {{MNF}}
!colspan=2| {{JPN}}
!colspan=2| {{USA}}
!colspan=2| {{NGA}}
!colspan=2| {{GBR}}
!colspan=2| {{FRA}}
!colspan=2| {{CZE}}
!colspan=2| {{ITA}}
!colspan=2| {{FRA}}
!colspan=2| {{GBR}}
!colspan=2| {{BEL}}
!colspan=2| {{GER}}
!align=center| {{AUS}}
!colspan=2|
!valign="middle"| WDC
!valign="middle"| Pts
!align=center| Class
!align=center| Pts
|-
!width=20px| E
!width=20px| S
!width=20px| E
!width=20px| S
!width=20px| E
!width=20px| S
!width=20px| E
!width=20px| S
!width=20px| E
!width=20px| S
!width=20px| E
!width=20px| S
!width=20px| E
!width=20px| S
!width=20px| E
!width=20px| S
!width=20px| E
!width=20px| S
!width=20px| E
!width=20px| S
!width=20px| E
!width=20px| S
!width=20px| E
!colspan=2|
!rowspan=2| N/A
!rowspan=2| 0
|rowspan=2 bgcolor="#ffffbf"| '''1st'''
|rowspan=2 bgcolor="#ffffbf"| '''306'''
|-
|bgcolor="#cfcfff"|FUJ<br /><small>29</small>
|bgcolor="#cfcfff"|FUJ<br /><small>35</small>
|bgcolor="#cfcfff"|GLN<br /><small>25</small>
|bgcolor="#cfcfff"|GLN<br /><small>36†</small>
|bgcolor="#cfcfff"|LAG<br /><small>26</small>
|bgcolor="#cfcfff"|LAG<br /><small>36</small>
|bgcolor="#cfcfff"|BRH<br /><small>23</small>
|bgcolor="#efcfff"|BRH<br /><small>Ret</small>
|bgcolor="#efcfff"|PAU<br /><small>Ret</small>
|bgcolor="#cfcfff"|PAU<br /><small>26</small>
|bgcolor="#ffcfcf"|BRN<br /><small>DNQ</small>
|bgcolor="#ffcfcf"|BRN<br /><small>DNQ</small>
|bgcolor="#ffcfcf"|MNZ<br /><small>DNQ</small>
|bgcolor="#ffcfcf"|MNZ<br /><small>DNQ</small>
|bgcolor="#cfcfff"|CHA<br /><small>22</small>
|bgcolor="#cfcfff"|CHA<br /><small>31</small>
|bgcolor="#ffcfcf"|BIR<br /><small>DNQ</small>
|bgcolor="#ffcfcf"|BIR<br /><small>DNQ</small>
|bgcolor="#ffcfcf"|SPA<br /><small>DNQ</small>
|bgcolor="#ffcfcf"|SPA<br /><small>DNQ</small>
|bgcolor="#efcfff"|NUR<br /><small>Ret</small>
|bgcolor="#cfcfff"|NUR<br /><small>45</small>
|bgcolor="#ffcfcf"|BAT<br /><small>DNQ</small>
|-
!rowspan=3| [[1991_World_Touring_Car_Masters_season|1991]]
!rowspan=3| Vauxhall Sport
!rowspan=3| Vauxhall Cavalier
!rowspan=3| {{MNF}}
!colspan=2| {{AUS}}
!colspan=2| {{JPN}}
!colspan=2| {{USA}}
!colspan=2| {{NGA}}
!align=center| {{GBR}}
!align=center| {{FRA}}
!colspan=2| {{CZE}}
!colspan=2| {{ITA}}
!colspan=2| {{GBR}}
!colspan=2| {{SWE}}
!align=center| {{BEL}}
!colspan=2| {{GER}}
!align=center| {{POR}}
!colspan=2|
!
!colspan=2 valign="middle"| WDC
!colspan=2 valign="middle"| Pts
|-
!width=20px| F
!width=20px| S
!width=20px| F
!width=20px| S
!width=20px| F
!width=20px| S
!width=20px| F
!width=20px| S
!width=20px| E
!width=20px| F
!width=20px| F
!width=20px| S
!width=20px| F
!width=20px| S
!width=20px| F
!width=20px| S
!width=20px| F
!width=20px| S
!width=20px| E
!width=20px| F
!width=20px| S
!width=20px| F
!colspan=2|
!rowspan=2|
|rowspan=2 colspan=2 bgcolor="#ffdf9f"| '''3rd'''
|rowspan=2 colspan=2 bgcolor="#ffdf9f"| '''138'''
|-
|bgcolor="#ffffbf"|''AUS<br /><small>1</small>''
|bgcolor="#dfffdf"|AUS<br /><small>6</small>
|bgcolor="#dfdfdf"|JPN<br /><small>2</small>
|bgcolor="#dfffdf"|JPN<br /><small>7</small>
|bgcolor="#ffffbf"|USA<br /><small>1</small>
|bgcolor="#efcfff"|USA<br /><small>Ret</small>
|AFR<br /><small>INJ</small>
|AFR<br /><small>INJ</small>
|RAC<br /><small>INJ</small>
|PAU<br /><small>INJ</small>
|CZE<br /><small>INJ</small>
|CZE<br /><small>INJ</small>
|bgcolor="#ffffbf"|'''''ITA<br /><small>1</small>'''''
|bgcolor="#dfffdf"|''ITA<br /><small>4</small>''
|bgcolor="#ffdf9f"|GBR<br /><small>3</small>
|bgcolor="#dfdfdf"|GBR<br /><small>2</small>
|bgcolor="#dfdfdf"|SWE<br /><small>2</small>
|bgcolor="#dfffdf"|SWE<br /><small>4</small>
|bgcolor="#dfffdf"|SPA<br /><small>4</small>
|bgcolor="#dfffdf"|GER<br /><small>5</small>
|bgcolor="#dfffdf"|GER<br /><small>9</small>
|bgcolor="#efcfff"|MAC<br /><small>Ret</small>
|-
!rowspan=3| [[1992 World Touring Car Masters season|1992]]
!rowspan=3| Vauxhall Sport
!rowspan=3| Vauxhall Cavalier
!rowspan=3| {{MNF}}
!colspan=2| {{AUS}}
!colspan=2| {{JPN}}
!colspan=2| {{USA}}
!colspan=2| {{RZA}}
! {{GBR}}
!colspan=2| {{FRA}}
!colspan=2| {{CZE}}
!colspan=2| {{ITA}}
!colspan=2| {{GBR}}
!colspan=2| {{SWE}}
! {{BEL}}
!colspan=2| {{GER}}
!colspan=2| {{POR}}
!
!colspan=2 valign="middle"| WDC
!colspan=2 valign="middle"| Pts
|-
!F
!S
!F
!S
!F
!S
!F
!S
!E
!F
!S
!F
!S
!F
!S
!F
!S
!F
!S
!E
!F
!S
!F
!S
!rowspan=2|
!rowspan=2 colspan=2 bgcolor="#dfdfdf"| 10th*
!rowspan=2 colspan=2 bgcolor="#dfdfdf"| 49*
|-
|bgcolor="#dfffdf"|AUS<br /><small>5</small>
|bgcolor="#cfcfff"|AUS<br /><small>9</small>
|bgcolor="#ffffbf"|JPN<br /><small>1</small>
|bgcolor="#dfffdf"|JPN<br /><small>5</small>
|bgcolor="#cfcfff"|USA<br /><small>13</small>
|bgcolor="#cfcfff"|USA<br /><small>12</small>
|bgcolor="#dfdfdf"|AFR<br /><small>2</small>
|bgcolor="#cfcfff"|AFR<br /><small>10</small>
|bgcolor="#dfffdf"|RAC<br /><small>11</small>
|bgcolor="#efcfff"|PAU<br /><small>Ret</small>
|bgcolor="#efcfff"|PAU<br /><small>Ret</small>
|bgcolor="#ffcfcf"|CZE<br /><small>DNQ</small>
|bgcolor="#ffcfcf"|CZE<br /><small>DNQ</small>
|bgcolor="#efcfff"|ITA<br /><small>Ret</small>
|bgcolor="#cfcfff"|ITA<br /><small>9</small>
|GBR
|GBR
|SWE
|SWE
|BEL
|GER
|GER
|MAC
|MAC
|-
|}
 
[[Category:Real-life drivers]]
[[Category:Real-life drivers]]
[[Category:WTCM drivers]]
[[Category:WTCM drivers]]
[[Category:Formula One Drivers]]
[[Category:Deceased Drivers]]

Latest revision as of 07:33, 19 October 2023

Bernd Schneider (20th July, 1964 in St. Ingbert, West Germany - 30th April, 1994 in Bologna, Italy) was a German racing driver known for his appearances in Formula One and WTCM. Schneider was considered as one of the best touring car drivers of his generation with successes on both the domestic and international stages. After three seasons with Opel and Vauxhall in the WTCM, Schneider managed to secure a full-time Formula One seat with Rial. Early into his sophomore campaign with Simtek in 1994, Schneider was killed in qualifying for the San Marino Grand Prix. From there on, Vauxhall Sport retired the car number 5 and instead began using #32 in their WTCM program as a mark of respect for the German's motorsport legacy.

F3000

Schneider entered the International F3000 series in 1988 with the Forti Corse team. He was a regular points scorer and finished the year in eighth place after taking his maiden F3000 victory at the Imola round.

He continued with Forti in 1989, taking a best result of third place at the season opener at Silverstone - enough for 15th place.

WTCM

1988: Mercedes-Benz

Schneider's F3000 efforts earned him a handful of rounds with the Works Mercedes-Benz team in the inaugural World Touring Car Masters championship in 1988. His drives came about after regular driver Jerry Mahony was released from his contract due to a string of poor performances. Schneider shared the car with former Grand Prix driver Jochen Mass and scored a pair of wins at Monza.

1990-1992: Opel/Vauxhall

Schneider returned to the WTCM in 1990, being signed for the Works Opel Team Irmscher outfit alongside Volker Strycek. Consistent results throughout the season (including 10 class wins) meant that Schneider won the Class D championship with a handful of races left.

Schneider remained at Irmscher in 1991, however this time under the banner of Vauxhall Sport. He was partnered by 1988 series champion Tim Harvey as the pair became the two highest-paid drivers on the grid. With the Cavalier being one of the best cars on the grid, Schneider got off to a quick start as he took his first win in the opening race of the season. He followed this win up with another two rounds later at Watkins Glen but was involved in a heavy accident in the Sprint race the following day that ruled him out for 4 rounds and effectively ending his challenge for the title. After missing six races, Schneider made a remarkable return in Monza as he won the Feature round. However, even with several more podium finishes until the end of the season, the Vauxhall started losing ground to BMW and Toyota. In the end, Schneider still finished third overall in the championship with many wondering what could have been if not for his injury.

The second year of Bernd Schneider's two-year deal in 1992 began in somewhat mixed fashion as the German driver won the Feature race in Japan and taking the championship lead at the end of that weekend. However, the maximum ballast hindered Schneider at the American round and he didn't take any points at Road America.

Formula One

Schneider began his Formula One career with three Grands Prix for Rial-Porsche in 1991, his best performance being a 14th place finish in the Pacific Grand Prix. This all hapepend while he was still under contract with Vauxhall in the WTCM, but after a rough 1992 season Schneider contemplated a possible return to F1. Rial, now running their own engines and seeking a replacement for Heinz-Harald Frentzen who departed for the new Sauber team, agreed a deal for the 1993 season where the German driver would partner Austrian hotshot Karl Wendlinger.

In the fourth round in San Marino Schneider took advantage of the promising Rial package by bringing the car home in 8th position, just in front of his teammate Wendlinger. However, in the very next round in Spain he scored his first career points as well as Rial's first points of the season, after a late retirement by race leader Paul Tracy moved Schneider into sixth place. The team wouldn't get close to scoring again, but Schneider's heroics in Spain were enough to put Rial in 9th place in the constructor's - accredited with helping the team survive into 1994.

Schneider however was pushed out of the Fußgönheim squad in favour of reigning world champion Chris Dagnall for the 1994 season, meaning he was out of employment. He eschewed a return to touring cars in favour of signing with the new Simtek squad, partnering Eric van de Poele. His season wouldn't start off brilliantly, with two out of two retirements at the Brazilian and Pacific Grands Prix. The next race at Imola however would bring tragedy. During Saturday qualifying, he bumped his front wing on the kerbs at Acque Minerali, it subsequently detached and became stuck underneath the car, lodging underneath the car and sending Schneider into the wall at the high-speed Villeneuve corner at 314.9 km/h (195.7 mph). He was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival. He was 29 years old.

Career Results

Complete International Formula 3000 results

Year Team Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 DC Pts
1988 Forti Corse Reynard 88D Ford Cosworth DFY 3.0 V8 JER
4 		IMO
1 		PAU
Ret 		SIL
6 		MNZ
4 		PER
Ret 		BHA
14 		BIR
Ret 		BUG
5 		ZOL
6 		DIJ
Ret 		8th 19
1989 Forti Corse Reynard 89D Ford Cosworth DFY 3.0 V8 SIL
3 		IMO
9 		PAU
Ret 		JER
5 		ASS
20† 		PER
Ret 		BHA
Ret 		BIR
12 		SPA
Ret 		LEM
11 		DIJ
10 		15th 6

Complete Formula One results

Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 WDC Points
1991 Porsche Rial Racing Rial ARC3 Porsche 3512 3.5 V12 USA BRA PAC
14 		SMR MON CAN MEX FRA GBR GER HUN BEL
Ret 		ITA POR ESP JPN AUS‡
16 		NC 0
1993 Rial Racing Rial ARC5 Rial 3512 3.5 V12 RSA
Ret 		BRA
12 		PAC
Ret 		SMR
8 		ESP
6 		MON
Ret 		CAN
Ret 		FRA
Ret 		GBR
10 		GER
10 		HUN
Ret 		BEL
Ret 		ITA
Ret 		POR
9 		JPN
11 		AUS
Ret 		18th 1
1994 MTV Simtek Yamaha Simtek S941 Yamaha OX10B 3.5 V10 BRA
Ret 		PAC
Ret 		SMR
DNS 		MON ESP CAN FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA POR EUR JPN AUS — 0

Complete WTCM Results

Year Team Car Class
1988 Mercedes-Benz AMG Team Mercedes-Benz 190E C M Template:AUS Flag of Japan svg.png Template:USA Flag of Germany svg.png Flag of South Africa 1928-1994 svg.png Flag of Germany svg.png Template:FRA Template:GBR Flag of Italy svg.png Template:BEL Flag of Germany svg.png WDC Pts Class Pts
E S E S E S E S E S E S E S E S E S E S E 30th 18 11th 124
NOR
16 		NOR
19 		KYA
Ret 		KYA
25 		HOC
Ret 		HOC
Ret 		CHA
12 		CHA
18 		MNZ
11 		MNZ
18
1990 Opel Team Irmscher Opel Kadett E GSi 16V D M Flag of Japan svg.png Template:USA Flag of Nigeria svg.png Template:GBR Template:FRA Flag of the Czech Republic svg.png Flag of Italy svg.png Template:FRA Template:GBR Template:BEL Flag of Germany svg.png Template:AUS WDC Pts Class Pts
E S E S E S E S E S E S E S E S E S E S E S E N/A 0 1st 306
FUJ
29 		FUJ
35 		GLN
25 		GLN
36† 		LAG
26 		LAG
36 		BRH
23 		BRH
Ret 		PAU
Ret 		PAU
26 		BRN
DNQ 		BRN
DNQ 		MNZ
DNQ 		MNZ
DNQ 		CHA
22 		CHA
31 		BIR
DNQ 		BIR
DNQ 		SPA
DNQ 		SPA
DNQ 		NUR
Ret 		NUR
45 		BAT
DNQ
1991 Vauxhall Sport Vauxhall Cavalier M Template:AUS Flag of Japan svg.png Template:USA Flag of Nigeria svg.png Template:GBR Template:FRA Flag of the Czech Republic svg.png Flag of Italy svg.png Template:GBR Flag of Sweden svg.png Template:BEL Flag of Germany svg.png Flag of Portugal svg.png WDC Pts
F S F S F S F S E F F S F S F S F S E F S F 3rd 138
AUS
1 		AUS
6 		JPN
2 		JPN
7 		USA
1 		USA
Ret 		AFR
INJ 		AFR
INJ 		RAC
INJ 		PAU
INJ 		CZE
INJ 		CZE
INJ 		ITA
1 		ITA
4 		GBR
3 		GBR
2 		SWE
2 		SWE
4 		SPA
4 		GER
5 		GER
9 		MAC
Ret
1992 Vauxhall Sport Vauxhall Cavalier M Template:AUS Flag of Japan svg.png Template:USA Flag of South Africa 1928-1994 svg.png Template:GBR Template:FRA Flag of the Czech Republic svg.png Flag of Italy svg.png Template:GBR Flag of Sweden svg.png Template:BEL Flag of Germany svg.png Flag of Portugal svg.png WDC Pts
F S F S F S F S E F S F S F S F S F S E F S F S 10th* 49*
AUS
5 		AUS
9 		JPN
1 		JPN
5 		USA
13 		USA
12 		AFR
2 		AFR
10 		RAC
11 		PAU
Ret 		PAU
Ret 		CZE
DNQ 		CZE
DNQ 		ITA
Ret 		ITA
9 		GBR GBR SWE SWE BEL GER GER MAC MAC
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