Pascal Wehrlein got the opportunity to drive Force India’s 2014 car during the second pre-season test after Mercedes made it “financially worthwhile” for the Silverstone based team.
Force India’s financial troubles forced them to pull out of the first pre-season test and almost saw them miss the second. However the late cash injection – or write-down on debts owed – meant it made sense for the team to run the VMJ07 with Wehrlein behind the wheel.
“Mercedes wanted him to have some time in the car and it suited us in terms of being able to run the car,” deputy team principal Bob Fernley told Autosport.
“It was a pleasure for us to do it. It was obviously financially worthwhile and also allowed us to get Nico and Sergio back up to speed before the third test – so it was win-win.”
Fernley added that the possibility of Wehrlein getting behind the wheel again was highly likely during the in-season tests.
“It was just a one-off. He will probably run again for us in one of the young driver tests but at this point, we don’t have any plans for him in the long term.”
