Jerez test schedule: Bianchi will drive for Force India!

The first winter tests of the Formula 1 season will begin tomorrow in Jerez. Since the technical regulations have only slightly changed compared to 2012, all the drivers involved should have their cars, except for Valtteri Bottas and Pastor Maldonado at Williams, as the Grove team has decided to unveil their vehicle at the start of the Barcelona tests on February 19.

Just like the FW35, Fernando Alonso will also wait for the Barcelona tests, with Felipe Massa handling the first three days of the Jerez tests before Pedro de la Rosa takes over at the wheel of the F138 on Friday.

For its part, although Force India expressed the desire to wait until Barcelona to designate its second driver, the presence of Jules Bianchi at the wheel of the VJM06 on Friday is an encouraging sign for the potential appointment of the Frenchman. Indeed, of the two supposed candidates to replace Nico Hülkenberg, the French driver will be the only one in action while the team will rely, for the first three days, on Paul di Resta and James Rossiter, its development driver.

The Jerez tests will also mark the grand debut of Lewis Hamilton at the wheel of the Mercedes. The Briton will drive the F1 W04 on Wednesday and Friday. He will thus be on the track alongside his replacement at McLaren, Sergio Pérez, who will be driving the MP4-28.

Météo France forecasts mild weather in Jerez de la Frontera, with sunshine expected and ambient temperatures of 4°C in the early morning, reaching highs of around 17°C. Good news for the teams who, after a brief glimpse during the Free Practice 1 of the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix, will properly discover the new Pirelli tires.

The trials will take place each day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., in public.

Jerez Private Test Schedule /f1/news/14920-the-red-bull-rb9-a-single-seater-born-in-purple.html: