Mercedes reserve driver Pascal Wehrlein will drive for the Force India team at this week’s second pre-season test in Barcelona and on another two occasions this season.
The 20-year-old took up the role of reserve for Mercedes last year and was rumoured to be in the running to drive Force India’s 2014 car on at least one of the test days.
The team has now confirmed he will drive on Thursday and Saturday, whilst Sergio Perez will drive on Friday and Nico Hulkenberg on Sunday.
Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff believes the opportunity will provide good experience for Wehrlein, whilst also providing Force India with valuable feedback.
“Pascal impressed us with his approach to the Abu Dhabi test last year and I am sure his feedback will be useful to Force India also,” said the Austrian.
“It is also a valuable opportunity for him to work with another team and gain more experience.”
Wehrlein added: “As a young driver, any time you can spend in the car is extremely important and you can learn a lot. I know the simulator already, but I don’t have much experience on the track.
“Everybody knows that lap times only play a secondary role when you’re testing,” he added. “But of course I want to be as competitive as possible.”
The reason for the unique oppportunity, which will see Wehrlein also test for Force India at the two in-season tests this year, is because the Silverstone based outfit are believed to be behind on their engine payments to Mercedes.
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