DTM hasn’t held a UK round since 2013, the final time that the championship visited the Brands Hatch Indy circuit (pictured above).

However, ITR chairman Gerhard Berger is thought to be particularly keen on bringing DTM back to the UK as part of a push to get more “old-school” tracks on the calendar.

Motorsport.com understands that a British race has been provisionally scheduled for the weekend of 21-22 April, which would make it the 2018 season opener.

It remains unclear whether this would be at Brands Hatch or Donington, which last hosted DTM in 2003, although any return to Brands would be at the full GP circuit, not the Indy layout.

Italy is also in line for a DTM return for the first time since Adria last hosted a race in 2010.

Misano is believed to be the favoured venue, and would likely be given an 11-12 August date in a bid to attract holidaying German tourists in the area.

Of the eight venues on the 2017 calendar, only Moscow Raceway will be dropped, with Lausitz set to continue hosting a race despite its sale to automotive testing company DEKRA earlier in the year.

The Norisring, Zandvoort, the Nurburgring, the Red Bull Ring and the Hungaroring will all keep their calendar slots, while Hockenheim will continue to host two rounds, including the season finale.

Possible 2018 DTM calendar: