From 1-3 December, Formula 1 testing started again but this time it was the young driver test in Jerez with many teams taking the opportunity to test how new and up and coming drivers could cope with a Formula 1 car.
The drivers taking part were;
Daniel Ricciardo – 2009 Formula 3, Champion
Brendan Hartley – 2007 Formula Renault Eurocup, Champion
Mirko Bortolotti – 2008 Italian Formula 3, Champion
Andy Soucek – 2009 Formula 2, Champion
Nico Hulkenberg – 2009 GP2, Champion (and 2010 Williams F1 Driver)
Bertrand Baguette – 2009 Renault 3.5, Champion
Lucas di Grassi – 2009 GP2, Third
Ho-Pin Tung – 2006 German Formula 3, Champion
Jules Bianchi – 2009 Formula 3 Euroseries, Champion
Daniel Zampieri – 2009 Italian Formula 3, Champion
Marco Zipoli – 2009 Italian Formula 3, Second
Pablo Sanchez Lopez – 2009 Italian Formula 3, Third
JR Hildebrand – 2009 Firestone Indy Lights, Champion
Paul di Resta – 2006 Formula 3 Euroseries, Champion (and 2009 DTM Mercedes Driver)
Oliver Turvey – 2009 Renault 3.5, Fourth (Testing as prize for winning the 2006 Mclaren Autosport Award)
Gary Paffett – 2009 DTM, Second (and 2009 Mclaren Test Driver)
Alexander Rossi – 2008 Formula BMW America, Champion (Testing as prize for winning 2008 Formula BMW
World Final)
Esteban Gutiérrez – 2008 Formula BMW Europe, Champion
Marcus Ericsson – 2009 Japanese Formula 3, Champion
Mike Conway – 2006 British Formula 3, Champion
All drivers did themselves proud with no-one standing out from the crowd as there was no Formula 1 driver to compare them too, all cars came back in the same shape that they started and so the teams were happy aswell.
The biggest news from the test was that Jules Bianchi has been signed for Ferrari, his exact role has yet to be announced, but it’s been suggested that Ferrari are looking to have someone to fill in as third driver at the team.
For full results of the 3 days click the links below;
