Mattias Ekstrom led an Audi lockout of the top five places in the first DTM free practice session of the weekend at Brands Hatch.
Audi insists that it is not out of the running for the DTM title, despite suffering a torrid season in comparison to Mercedes so far in 2010.
Nissan has admitted that it is in discussions that could take it into the DTM, this week's AUTOSPORT magazine reveals. Company vice-president Carlos Tavares, whose remit includes motorsport, revealed that Nissan had "some interesting ideas for the future" and that it had entered into a dialogue with DTM organiser the ITR.
The DTM will run on a shortened Hockenheim lay-out when the series visits the German Grand Prix venue for the second time this season, on October 16/17.
Gary Paffett led home Paul di Resta to take a dominant Mercedes 1-2 in the DTM race at Zandvoort, after pole-sitter Timo Scheider stalled at the start. Scheider's slow getaway handed the British Mercedes pair an advantage they would hold throughout the race, as they coasted away from the rest of the field.
Timo Scheider took his first DTM pole position of the season in commanding fashion at Zandvoort on Saturday. The reigning champion's lap in the Q4 pole shootout was nearly seven tenths of a second clear of Gary Paffett, who will join Scheider on the front row. Paffett lost time when he locked up at the first corner on his hot lap and last year's winner was unable to claw it back over the rest of the lap
Mattias Ekstrom topped the second DTM free practice session at Zandvoort after a blistering lap in the closing stages on Saturday morning. The Swede had been quiet for most of the session, but he emerged for a flying lap with five minutes remaining, and eclipsed Audi team-mate Timo Scheider's best effort by four tenths of a second. Scheider and Miguel Molina completed an Audi top three, continuing the manufacturer's strong performance from Friday
Alexandre Premat finished the first DTM free practice session of the weekend at Zandvoort half a second clear of the field on Friday. The Audi driver led a 1-2-3 for the Ingolstadt marque with Mike Rockenfeller and Mattias Ekstrom next up. Premat has shown blistering form at the Dutch circuit before