Kevin Magnussen lands Mercedes DTM test

Kevin Magnussen has been named as one of six drivers Mercedes will trial during its annual end-of-season DTM test at Jerez, alongside a number of other hopefuls.

Mercedes, Audi and BMW will each run six drivers in the test, which is billed as an opportunity for drivers from various disciplines to get experience at the wheel of the touring cars.

Of the 18 drivers taking part, Magnussen is arguably the highest profile, the former McLaren F1 driver seeking alternative options in 2016 after he was dropped by the team having been replaced by Fernando Alonso for the 2015 season and forced into a shortlived reserve role.

Magnussen will be joined driving the Mercedes C63 coupe - which won the 2015 DTM title in the hands of Pascal Wehrlein - by GP2 race winner and Sauber reserve Raffaele Marciello, GP3 front runner Marvin Kirchhofer, FR3.5 driver Jazeman Jaafar, European F3 driver Mikkel Jensen and former DTM competitor Maro Engel.

"It's always a great experience to observe talented drivers taking their first steps in our Mercedes-AMG C 63 DTM," said Mercedes head Ulrich Fritz. "Our brand has successfully worked to promote young talent in motor racing for many years, so it's really terrific that we are again able to offer a number of talented racing drivers an opportunity to test our DTM car this week."

Mercedes is yet confirm its drivers for the 2016 DTM season as it remains to be seen whether Wehrlein will be promoted to a potential Manor F1 drive.

Magnussen recently tested a Porsche 919 Hybrid LMP1 car, though the manufacturer will retain the same race drivers for its 2016 World Endurance Championship effort and won't run a third car at the Le Mans 24 Hours.