Audi hope to groom drivers with VW

Audi is both owned by the Volkswagen Group, and when Volkswagen returns to Formula Three as an engine supplier later this year they will take on Mercedes-Benz, who also compete against Audi in the DTM.

"We always try to share a little bit the driver build-up within the group, and the F3 programme suits this well," Audi's head of motorsport Wolfgang Ullrich told autosport.com.

"For sure this is positive. VW has quite a good history with the F3 engine, so why not?"

Mercedes have been able to pick several drivers up for their DTM squad from F3, including Gary Paffett, Bruno Spengler, Jamie Green and Paul di Resta.

Audi have had less success with bringing in young drivers, and their latest young singing, Alexandre Premat, had previously been backed by Mercedes.

Volkswagen motorsport director Kris Nissen added: "Volkswagen has been committed to promoting young talent for many decades. Returning to Formula Three is therefore the logical continuation of this commitment.

"The ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup represents the first step in motorsport for novices, and Formula 3 is the springboard to professional racing in the highest motorsport categories such as the DTM, Le Mans, and even Formula One."

Two of Audi's other young stars in the DTM, Mattias Ekstrom and Martin Tomczyk, were groomed by the Abt Sportsline team before Audi became involved as a manufacturer entry.