Sergey Sirotkin has been added in the list of drivers to drive for Audi in the three-day DTM’s ‘Young Driver Test’ at Jerez.
The former Formula 1 driver, who has been replaced by Robert Kubica at Williams for the 2019 season, will drive the 2018 version of Audi RS 5 DTM car at Jerez after a late addition on their rostrum from the earlier announced names.
Sirotkin had his last F1 run with Williams in Abu Dhabi as he ended his maiden season with a point to his name and gets his first taste in a different machinery in just two weeks time as he contemplates his future step together with his Russian backers SMP Racing.
The test comes as a surprise with the speculation around him joining Ferrari in a simulator role – with former Mercedes junior Pascal Wehrlein in competition – gaining momentum after the role was left vacant by Daniil Kvyat, who returns to F1 with Toro Rosso.
Ferrari will not have the services of Antonio Giovinazzi as well, who gets his full-time chance with Sauber. It remains to be seen what comes out of the test for Sirotkin who did not have much clue of his future course when asked in Abu Dhabi.
The Russian will test the Audi DTM car at Spain’s Jerez circuit along with Benoit Treluyer, Frederic Vervisch, Mattia Drudi, Jonathan Aberdein, Sacha Fenestraz and Andreas Bakkerud – Drudi and Treluyer have had their chance already on Day 1.
Among others, BMW will be testing Nick Catsburg, Mikkel Jensen, Sheldon van der Linde and Nick Yelloly with the German manufacturer looking to fill up its last DTM seat for the 2019 season from among the runners.
Even though Mercedes is out of the touring car series, the car will still be run by HWA in the test as they prepare for the new season with Aston Martin Racing. The team will run Jake Dennis, Jake Hughes, Thomas Preining and Ferdinand Habsburg.