Audi keeping an eye on McLaren junior de Vries as future DTM option

Formula 2 driver de Vries, who on Wednesday switched to the Racing Engineering squad, drove for Audi in the Jerez young driver test last year.

The 22-year-old was nominated as the manufacturer's reserve driver for last month's Moscow round, in case Mike Rockenfeller was unable to race.

He also joined Audi last weekend for his home event at Zandvoort, where he attended technical debriefs and drove the series' 'race taxi'.

"We had him [de Vries] at the young driver test last year, he impressed us with his performance and his approach to the whole thing," said Gass.

"That was the reason we contacted him for the reserve driver role in Moscow, when we didn't know whether Mike would be able to drive or not.

"That's basically where the current contractual relationship ends.

"He was here this weekend [in Zandvoort], but more to visit than having a proper role within the team."

When asked if de Vries could be an option for Audi's driver line-up in the future, Gass added: "Possibly, yeah.

"He's a well-educated racing driver, everything was professional, so we think it's good to have an eye on him."

Current line-up likely to remain for 2018

Audi shook up its driver line-up for 2017, adding sportscar drivers Rene Rast and Loic Duval despite reducing its operation to six cars from eight in lin with fellow manufacturers BMW and Mercedes.

Gass said that overhaul meant any alterations to its roster for 2018 were unlikely.

"Currently I don't [expected any changes]," he said.

"We have made some significant changes for this season and it's not finalised yet but I could very well imagine carrying on the same way."