George Russell will get a head start on his 2022 preparations with Mercedes, with the Briton running on both days of this week's post-season Pirelli test at Yas Marina.
With Sir Lewis Hamilton due to receive his Knighthood at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, and Valtteri Bottas released by Mercedes to run with Alfa Romeo this week, Russell will handle testing duties for Pirelli on-board the Brackley squad's 18-inch wheel mule car exclusively on his own.
All teams, bar Williams, will field a mule car for one of their regular 2022 drivers on Tuesday and Wednesday, although Ferrari will also entrust its machine for half a day to sim driver Antonio Fuoco.
In addition to Russell switching mounts at Yas Marina, Bottas will showcase his new Alfa colors, as will his teammate, Chinese rookie Guanyu Zhou.
But all teams, including Williams, will also roll out a 2021-spec car for the young hopeful of their choice for the latter to showcase his talents exclusively on Tuesday.
Most of the young drivers who will take to the track have experience of older-spec F1 machinery.
But there will nevertheless be a few first-timers, such as Arrow McLaren SP IndyCar star Pato O'Ward, Red Bull protégé Liam Lawson or Williams junior Logan Sargeant.
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
Kimi Antonelli is sitting comfortably at the top of Formula 1’s 2026 Drivers’ Championship standings,…
Former Aston Martin team principal Otmar Szafnauer has delivered a stinging verdict on Team Silverstone's…
Isack Hadjar believes one of his biggest challenges during his first season with Red Bull…
Down the years, August 4th has seen several German Grand Prix races held at the…
Pierre Gasly believes Alpine’s upcoming Dutch Grand Prix upgrade package will be “critical” to the…
Oscar Piastri may not have the results to show for his efforts in 2026, but…