Force India has announced that test and development driver Alfonso Celis will drive in next week’s opening practice for the Austrian Grand Prix.

The Mexican has already made two of his seven scheduled FP1 outings this year, having deputised for Sergio Perez in Bahrain and Nico Hulkenberg in Russia.

Celis was also given the opportunity to debut this year’s VJM09 in winter testing in Barcelona before returning to action on the final day of the first pre-season test. The 19-year-old also drove on both days of the post-Spanish Grand Prix test.

Beside his F1 commitment, Celis competes this year in the rebranded Formula V8 3.5 championship where he currently occupies ninth position with one podium finish to his name.

Force India has yet to confirm who will make way for the Mexican teenager at the Red Bull Ring. Celis has already said he is keen to prove the team that he can be considered for a race seat in 2017.

Technical analysis - Baku

Scene at the Grand Prix of Europe

Grand Prix of Europe - Driver ratings

Breakfast with ... Derek Daly

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

Julien Billiotte

Recent Posts

Verstappen pondered quitting Red Bull, but loyalty stronger

Max Verstappen admits that he pondered a future away from Red Bull earlier this season,…

13 hours ago

Sainz critical of Ferrari's execution: ‘No one’s happy today’

Carlos Sainz delivered a podium finish to Ferrari in Las Vegas, but the Spaniard was…

15 hours ago

Las Vegas GP: Saturday night's action in pictures

There are two more races to go before the curtain falls on F1's 2024 campaign.…

16 hours ago

Horner: Verstappen has 'cemented' position among F1 greats

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner believes that Max Verstappen’s fourth F1 world championship has…

17 hours ago

Norris proud of McLaren, but title 'never really on'

Lando Norris came to Las Vegas with a mathematical chance of catching Max Verstappen in…

19 hours ago

Vasseur plays down Leclerc’s post-race radio rage

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has brushed off Charles Leclerc’s fiery post-race radio message following…

19 hours ago