Duval waiting on Audi decision after DTM test outing

Duval, a full-time member of Audi’s WEC programme since 2013, has been left without a ride in the series since his employers’ shock withdrawal from endurance racing, the 34-year-old having dovetailed his LMP1 programme with his Dragon Racing commitments in Formula E.

But now the Frenchman could be poised for a switch to DTM next season after joining Audi for the recent rookie test at Jerez, although he is still waiting on a final decision from the Ingolstadt marque, which has yet to confirm any DTM drivers for 2017.

"It was good to be back at the wheel, to see the guys in the team,” Duval told Motorsport.com about the test.

"DTM is a very good championship, with exciting races, a big amount of people on the events, and three premium manufacturers involved in it.

“It is still [too] early to say if I will join the DTM in 2017 or not, I know that Audi is working hard to find the best option for me. I will know about my future in a few days I think.”

Asked to compare the Audi RS5 DTM with the R18 e-tron quattro LMP1 car, he added: "There is nothing to compare between the two. LMP1 cars are very advanced technologically.

"The spirit is also quite different, because in endurance, even if you are alone at the wheel, you always race as a team.

“But besides LMP1, there are many competitive and interesting championships for a driver.”

Daytona opportunity

Duval was also recently confirmed in the DragonSpeed LMP2 line-up for the Rolex 24 at Daytona, a race the Audi driver says he has always wanted to take part in.

“I had the opportunity to talk with Nicolas Lapierre during the last WEC round in Bahrain, and I told him that I had always been attracted by the great American classics like Daytona, Sebring or Petit Le Mans,” Duval recalled.

“And then, after winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans [in 2013], it would be nice to add another prestigious 24-hour race to my record.

"I asked Audi to run with DragonSpeed ​​in Daytona, and they agreed. 

“Many teams can fight for the overall win, and I think we have a good chance. It is a new experience, completely different. And it's nice to have Nico as a teammate again.

“We have good memories in the past, especially our victory at Sebring with the [Oreca-run] Peugeot [in 2011].”

Interview by Emmanuel Rolland