Young drivers test program at Magny-Cours

The sporting regulations of Formula 1 grant each team three days of private tests reserved for drivers who have not participated in more than two Grand Prix in their career. Usually held by the entire grid on the Yas Marina circuit, following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, this session has been spread throughout the season due to a lack of unanimous agreement on a single date and location. Thus, Williams, HRT, and Marussia have already participated in such tests at Silverstone in mid-July.

The next phase of these tests is scheduled for this week, starting today and lasting a total of three days at the Nevers-Magny-Cours circuit. Not yet decided on the outcome of its candidacy for hosting the Formula 1 French Grand Prix in the future, the Nivernais circuit has wasted no time in welcoming the premier motorsport discipline, a privilege last granted during the last French Grand Prix in 2008. During these three days, divided into two sessions from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., the Ferrari, Mercedes, and Force India teams will test young drivers on Burgundian soil.

The Scuderia will field two protégés from the Ferrari Driver Academy, Jules Bianchi and Davide Rigon. The Frenchman will be behind the wheel of the F2012 today and Thursday, leaving the seat to his Italian colleague this Wednesday.

But the Nice-born driver won’t be idle tomorrow, as he will put on his cap as the third Force India driver and climb into the VJM05. He will succeed Brazilian Luiz Razia, currently 2nd in the GP2 Championship, and precede Venezuelan Rodolfo González, also from the GP2 Championship where he holds the 22nd position.

Finally, Mercedes is expected to field Sam Bird, who is still in the running for the title in Formula Renault 3.5, and this will be his third participation in these “rookie days” in a Silver Arrow. The Englishman is expected to be at the wheel during the three days, unless the work assigned to him is completed by Wednesday evening. If that is the case, the German team could, according to Autosport, prefer to put the New Zealander Brendon Hartley, a former member of the Red Bull junior team, in the F1 W03.

The rest of the lineup, consisting of Red Bull, McLaren, Lotus, Sauber, Toro Rosso, and Caterham teams, is expected to complete these tests as usual following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, in the week from November 5th to 11th.