Nico Muller in contention for Audi works contract for 2014

The 21-year-old Swiss tested for the manufacturer's DTM squad at Spielberg alongside World Endurance Championship racer Lucas di Grassi and several DTM regulars recently.

Audi head of DTM Dieter Gass said that no decision had been taken on the line-ups for any of the manufacturer's programmes, but that Muller's performances in testing had convinced Audi to monitor his progress carefully.

Gass told AUTOSPORT: "He tested an old-style A4 at Monteblanco previously and was very close to getting the DTM seat that Adrien Tambay was eventually given.

"We knew from then that we had to keep monitoring him. It would not be fair to judge him on the test at Spielberg because the weather was so changeable.

"He is, let's say, in contention for an Audi drive next year, although I can't say for which programme. We may well give him an LMP test soon as well."

Muller, who lies fifth in the FR3.5 standings following wins at Monaco and the Hungaroring, told AUTOSPORT: "To get a DTM test was great. When a manufacturer gives you an opportunity it shows that I haven't got everything wrong so far in my career.

"The test was nice, it was a shame there wasn't more dry running but I seemed to compare quite well to the other guys.

"We all have the same dream of Formula 1 so you don't always want to look away from single seaters, but now I have seen DTM up close I understand that it could be a very good place to go racing.

"I can wait until after the season to think about what comes next. And of course it's not only my decision."