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Audi DTM boss expects to retain full 2015 line-up next year

Audi DTM boss Dieter Gass doesn't see his brand changing its driver line-up for 2016

Unlike BMW and Mercedes, Audi opted for an unchanged line-up this season, with its only changes in the preceding years the recruitment of Jamie Green in '13, and elevating Nico Muller from single-seaters 12 months later.

While Timo Scheider missed the Moscow Raceway round due to suspension, replaced by reserve Antonio Giovinazzi, he will return at Oschersleben in a fortnight.

Pleased by his line-up's output, Gass acknowledges Formula 3 European Championship leader Giovinazzi may have to bide his time for further opportunities.

"It's early to say, but generally if I look at our drivers' performances, I don't see anybody who needs replacement," Gass said.

"It may be a bit unfortunate in that sense for Antonio, who would be interested, but so far we are planning with our current line-up.

"The decision on that will only be made after the season."

Audi's only full-time driver without a top-five finish after six events is Adrien Tambay, however Gass backed the Frenchman to turn his fortunes around.

In Russia, Tambay qualified 11th on Saturday but was forced out due to damage picked up amid opening-lap incidents at Turn 1 and 2, before finishing 16th on Sunday.

"He didn't have the best start [to 2015]," Gass said.

"Then we didn't help him with an engine change at the Lausitzring that put him on he back foot.

"But still he was fighting back on the Sunday [at the Lausitzring] and in the points from the back of the grid until he dropped out not due to his fault.

"He's a little bit of a mirror of what happened to a few Audi drivers last year, things aren't happening for him.

"It's something that we are looking into and trying to help him, as well, to get back on track, because we know he can do better."

Mattias Ekstrom leads the championship with six races to go for Audi, which also has Edoardo Mortara and Green inside the top four.

Mike Rockenfeller won his first race of the season at Moscow Raceway last Sunday, while Miguel Molina has visited the podium this year and Muller and Scheider both have top five finishes to their names.

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