Force India lines up juniors for Barcelona in-season test

©WRI2

40

Force India will entrust three of its junior drivers with test duties later this month in Barcelona at F1's first in-season test scheduled on May 15-16.

The Silverstone-based outfit will field a car for reserve driver Nicholas Latifi and development driver Nikita Mazepin, while Mercedes junior and F2 racer George Russell will run in a second car and conduct tyre development for Pirelli.

Perez hails 'best laps of my career' after Baku podium

It will be Latifi's first outing in Force India's VJM11 after the Canadian was forced to pull out of pre-season testing in February when he fell ill.

The 22-year-old will take part in a free practice session at his home Grand Prix in Montreal in June

Mazepin will take over driving duties from Latifi on the second and final day of the post-Spanish Grand Prix test.

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.