Barcelona test program: Bianchi and Sutil will be there!

This week, in Barcelona, the second of three private test sessions will take place before the start of the Formula 1 season. On this occasion, Fernando Alonso will make his debut at the wheel of the Ferrari F138 while the Williams drivers will be breaking in the new FW35. Absent from the grids in 2012, Adrian Sutil will benefit from a day of testing with Sahara Force India, as will Jules Bianchi.

Tomorrow will begin, at the Barcelona circuit, the second of three winter test sessions scheduled before the launch of the Formula 1 season. While all the drivers have had more or less the opportunity to discover their new cars, Fernando Alonso, absent during the Jerez tests, will make his debut behind the wheel of the Ferrari F138. After his three-day marathon, the Spaniard will then hand over to Felipe Massa.

On the Williams side, introduced on Tuesday morning, the FW35 will immediately undergo its baptism by fire at the hands of Pastor Maldonado before Valtteri Bottas takes over on Wednesday. The Venezuelan and the Finn will share the program for the following two days, having had to “settle” for the 2012 FW34 during the Jerez tests.

But the main highlight will obviously be the return of Adrian Sutil to the wheel of a Formula 1 car. After being without a seat last season, the German is more than ever in the running for a full-time position at Force India and will have the opportunity to prove he hasn’t lost his touch. Indeed, the Sahara Force India team has confirmed Adrian Sutil’s participation, and he will drive the VJM06 on Thursday. The German will take over from Paul di Resta, who will drive on Tuesday and Wednesday, while Jules Bianchi will also benefit from a new day of testing on Friday, closing this first Barcelona session.

Finally, at Marussia, the Anglo-Russian team specified on its Twitter account that while Max Chilton will be at the wheel on Tuesday, the rest of the program would be determined based on the evolution of these tests, day by day.

Barcelona Private Testing Schedule (February 19-22 /f1/actualite/14920-la-red-bull-rb9-une-monoplace-nee-dans-le-pourpre.html):