Andreas Bakkerud called up for Audi DTM rookie test.

Andreas Bakkerud sliding his EKS Audi Sport S1 Quattro Supercar.
PHOTO CREDIT: Junaid Samodien.

FIA World Rallycross driver Andreas Bakkerud headlines a list of six drivers that have been called up by Audi for the end-of-season DTM rookie test.

The six drivers will be given the opportunity to test a Audi RS 5 DTM on track in Jerez from December 10–12. 

Bakkerud has to date won six events and has been a regular World RX frontrunner since the series' inception in 2014. The Norwegian joined Mattias Ekstrom's Audi factory supported EKS team in 2018. Bakkerud's future in World RX is uncertain after Audi announced there withdrawal of factory support to the EKS outfit, and Ekstrom announced that he does not know the future of his EKS team for 2019.  

Joining Bakkerud on the list of six drivers is three-time Le Mans winner and former champion of the Japanese Super GT, Benoît Tréluyer, as well as GT and touring car racer Frederic Vervisch.

Vervisch has been successful in the Audi Sport customer racing program with WRT over the years.

In addition, Vincent Vosse’s Team WRT who are joining the DTM grid in 2019, will use its first opportunity to attend a test in order to prepare for the championship.

Audi have also named three young drivers who will also test the RS5 DTM car. 

Italian Mattia Drudi, who finished in the runner-up spot to Lance Stroll, and left a strong impression in the Audi R8 LMS this season.

Two Formula 3 drivers will also be behind the wheel of the Audi DTM machine: Austrian Ferdinand Habsburg and Jonathan Aberdein from South Africa. 

Audi are yet to announce their 2019 DTM driver line-up.