until Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League
Two-time DTM champion Rene Rast is set to get his first run in an Audi Formula E car in the coming weeks should a plan for a test session in Germany be activated.
Rast is the favourite to take the recently-dismissed Daniel Abt’s seat for the remainder of the 2019-20 campaign, which is expected to be concluded in August with a series of races at Tempelhof, Berlin.
The search for an Abt replacement has been accelerated after the controversial firing of the two-time E-Prix winner last month after he secretly fielded esports driver Lorenz Hoerzing instead of himself in an ill-advised prank during a round of the virtual Race at Home event.
Audi has plans to run Rast at the beginning of July to prepare him for the races in Tempelhof should they not clash with the DTM round at Spa on 1-2 August or the following round at Lausitzring on 14-16 August.
The Race understands that Formula E is likely to take the weekend in between the DTM dates on 7-8 August. This will be for one of up to three events which could encompass six races in total, with the possibility of two rounds being held during the evening in midweek.
Rast’s upcoming test is likely to take place at Audi’s own proving ground at its Neuberg base and also potentially Lausitzring.
Other drivers that have been linked with the vacant Abt seat include Nico Mueller and reigning Super Formula champion Nick Cassidy. However, it is believed Muller will see out his existing Dragon commitments, while Cassidy is pursuing possibilities with other teams depending on his availability due to Super GT and Super Formula obligations.
Audi’s two occasional test drivers Kelvin van der Linde and Mattia Drudi are expected to maintain sim and private test duties again.
Van der Linde will fill in for the departed Abt in the final two Race at Home Formula E races, which take place this weekend.
