Audi boss Gass: Duval 'impatience' hurting DTM transition

Duval is one of two DTM rookies in Audi's six-driver line-up, having had to depart the World Endurance Championship when Audi ended its prototype programme at the end of 2016.

Fellow sportscar convert Rene Rast has excelled in his first full DTM season and is fighting for the title, whereas Duval is the only entrant in the 18-car field yet to score a point.

Asked by Autosport about Duval's rookie struggles in the DTM, Gass said: "I think, Loic, he maybe just wasn't as patient as you need to be to come into DTM."

Duval, 35, is dovetailing his DTM programme with a Formula E campaign with the Faraday Future-backed Dragon Racing team.

He has balanced single-seater and tin-top racing for years, winning Japan's Formula Nippon title - the predecessor to Super Formula - in 2009 and then the country's Super GT championship in 2010.

Duval won the WEC title and the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2013 and Gass feels the Frenchman's track record has led to him overdriving in an attempt to deliver immediate DTM results.

"He is a driver who's used to success, I think he's won every championship where he competed," said Gass.

"He's coming from WEC, he's the only one who's won the Super GT championship and [is] now driving in DTM.

"So clearly I think he had very high expectations and expecting himself, as well, to perform straight away.

"And I think, maybe due to that, he was pushing it a bit too much in the beginning.

"And we know that you can't force success in DTM. But I'm confident that he'll get there."