Lotus F1 reserves Charles Pic and Esteban Ocon test DTM Mercedes

As part of the four-day DTM test at Jerez, Mercedes gave the Lotus drivers a test in its C-Coupe, while European F3 race winner Lucas Auer also had his first run in a DTM car.

Macau Grand Prix winner Felix Rosenqvist and Blancpain Sprint Series champion Maximilian Gotz were also in action for Mercedes at the test, both drivers having driven the older C-Class DTM car last year.

According to Ocon, who won this year's European F3 title, visibility was the biggest factor during his first experience of a tin-top.

"I enjoyed it," said the Frenchman. "You can't see much out of it when compared to a single-seater.

"It was my first time out in a racing car with a roof, so I'm quite happy with my progress during the course of the morning and hope to take it out again one day soon."

Pic added: "I really liked my first day in a DTM car. This was my first time out in a racing car with a roof, so there was a lot to learn.

"I found visibility a bit unfamiliar to begin with on my initial laps, and the feeling when braking was very different to what I'm used, but it was a lot of fun."

Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff said he was pleased with how the test went.

"It was wonderful to see so many young and talented racing drivers gaining experience in our DTM C-Coupe," he said.

"Charles, Esteban Felix, Lucas and Maximilian did a good job.

"The brand with the three-pointed star has for decades enjoyed great success in bringing on young drivers in motor racing.

"During that time, many of them have successfully moved up into Formula 1 or to the DTM. Pascal Wehrlein is the most recent example of what I'm talking about."

Meanwhile, four young British drivers were in action for BMW, with Sam Bird, Tom Blomqvist, Alex Lynn and Jack Harvey all taking part. They were joined by Lucas Luhr, Robin Frijns and Richie Stanaway.

"It was absolutely unbelievable," said Harvey. "I have never driven a car with a roof before so this was a new experience for me and I really loved it.

"It is very different to what I did in the past, but something I could get used to."