Abu Dhabi Young Driver Test line up

The Abu Dhabi young driver test at the end of the season is a great way for feeder series racers to drive in their dream cars. This article will constantly be updated with line ups when announced.

(c) GP2 Media

The test has helped drivers open the door to a team and firmly get their foot in, with many now becoming test and reserve drivers because of it. It takes place on November 6-8 at the Yas Marina circuit.

Drivers confirmed for the test:

Lotus:

Drivers: 

• Nicolas Prost
• Davide Valsecchi
• Edoardo Mortara

The only driver so far confirmed to test the Lotus E20 in Abu Dhabi is son of four time F1 champion Alain Prost, Nicolas Prost. The Frenchman has been preparing for the test by doing some private running in Spain, driving the squads 2010 car. Lotus will also run GP2 champion Davide Valsecchi, who despite impressing in lower formula, has yet to make the break into F1. The Italian will drive the Lotus E20 on the final day of the test, with the E20 being driven on the second day by DTM racer Edoardo Mortara.

Sauber:
Drivers:

• Esteban Gutierrez
• Robin Frijns

Sauber are world renowned for bringing in new and fresh talent, so the young driver test is a brilliant opportunity for them and the drivers. Reserve driver Esteban Gutierrez has tested with the team before and was a race winner in the 2012 GP2 series. Robin Frijns will make his F1 test debut in the Sauber. The Dutch driver won the Formula Renault 3.5 championship this year, and his reward is to test the Red Bull car. Gutierrez with test the car on Wednesday and Thursday, with the opening day being used to access Frijns.

             
McLaren
Drivers:

• Gary Paffett
• Kevin Magnussen
• Oliver Turvey

Regular McLaren test drivers Gary Paffett and Oliver Turvey will take to the track in the McLaren MP4-27. Both drivers have experience driving in the car. Turvey joined the team at the start of the season and drove at the Mugello test, as did Paffett who lost the DTM title in Hockenheim.

Red Bull
Drivers:

• Antonio Felix da Costa
• Robin Frijns

Red Bull confirmed their Yas Marina test line up, which consists of GP3 and FR3.5 racer Antonio Felix da Costa and Dutch driver Robin Frijns. The latter will also drive for the Sauber team, opening their test on the Tuesday. Frijns is not part of the Red Bull young driver programme but the test is a reward for winning the Formula Renault 3.5 series. Da Costa raced in the GP3 series, coming close to winning the championship. He also contested in the final 6 rounds of the Formula Renault 3.5 series, winning on 4 occasions.

Toro Rosso
Drivers:

• Luiz Razia
• Johnny Cecotto Jnr

Toro Rosso will take to Abu Dhabi two very experienced GP2 racers. Luiz Razia, 2012 GP2 runner up, will drive the STR7 around the Yas Marina circuit on Tuesday and Thursday. Razia has F1 experience already, having tested for Virgin in 2010. He also drove the Caterham during FP1 of the 2011 Chinese Grand Prix. The STR7 will be driven by Johnny Cecotto Jnr, who finished 9th overall in the GP2 standings this year. 

Caterham
Drivers:

• Giedo Van Der Garde
• Alexander Rossi

The Leafield based team revealed their line up for the young driver test held in Abu Dhabi. The squad, who currently languish down in 11th in the constructors, will take with them experienced test driver Giedo Van Der Garde, who found moderate success in GP2 this year, and Alexander Rossi. The American raced in the Formula Renault 3.5 series and had a strong year. Rossi has tested for BMW Sauber and Caterham previously, even driving in Free Practice One at this years Spanish Grand Prix.

Ferrari, Force India and Mercedes tested their young drivers at Magny-Cours, while Marussia, HRT and Williams held their test at the Silverstone circuit.