DTM champion Wittmann gets Toro Rosso test outing

Marco Wittmann will make his Formula One debut with Toro Rosso during this week’s in-season test, with the 2014 DTM champion scheduled to drive the STR10 on Wednesday in Austria.

The opportunity comes as a reward for Wittmann’s DTM title success with BMW last year, as well as the German manufacturer enjoying an “excellent relationship with Red Bull”.

“It's fantastic that BMW Motorsport and Red Bull are giving me this opportunity to take part in the test,” said Wittmann. “This is a dream come true for me. As a child, I always wanted to drive a Formula One car.

“After many successful races in my BMW DTM car, I am excited about getting back in a single-seater for a brief outing.

“Above all, I am excited about an even higher top speed, the acceleration, braking later, and the g-force.”

Wittmann has not driven a single-seater since his 2011 Formula 3 Euro Series campaign, where he won several races but finished a distant runner-up to Manor’s Roberto Merhi.

The reigning DTM champion was initially scheduled to drive a 2012-spec Toro Rosso at Imola last November, but the 25-year-old could not collect his prize because of poor weather at the former San Marino Grand Prix venue.

Wittmann is not the only DTM star in action this week, as Mercedes reserve driver Pascal Wehrlein will test for Force India on Tuesday.

Wittmann will take over from Max Verstappen in the Renault-powered STR10 on Wednesday.

Click here for the gallery of Raikkonen and Alonso's crash at the Austrian Grand Prix

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