Force India has announced that test and development driver Alfonso Celis will return to the wheel of the VJM09 for the opening practice of this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
The Mexican has already made three of his seven scheduled FP1 outings this year, having driven in Bahrain, Russia, and Austria. He will deputise for Nico Hulkenberg in Italy.
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, while fellow development driver Nikita Mazepin took part in the post-British Grand Prix group session held at Silverstone.
Beside his F1 commitment, Celis competes this year in the rebranded Formula V8 3.5 championship where he currently lies 11th with one podium finish to his name.
Belgian Grand Prix - quotes of the week
F1i's driver ratings - Spa-Francorchamps
RACE REPORT: Rosberg wins at Spa as Hamilton recovers to third
Breakfast with ... Otmar Szafnauer
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
The flags at Mercedes-Benz have been lowered to half-mast as the racing community mourns the…
McLaren have officially completed Formula 1’s 2026 launch calendar, confirming they will unveil their new…
Formula 1’s simmering 2026 engine intrigue is about to hit boiling point, with the FIA…
Ferrari may be preparing for one of the biggest technical resets Formula 1 has seen…
Mercedes is quietly preparing to hit the ground running under Formula 1’s all-new 2026 engine…
Audi sparked a flurry of speculation on Friday as the German manufacturer’s power unit echoed…