Sahara Force India will test the Russian Formula 3 driver Nikita Mazepin, and Austrian DTM racer Lucas Auer during the upcoming Budapest test session this month. The youngsters will share driving duties in the VJM10 across the test with each driver scheduled to run for half a day on the Tuesday as well as the Wednesday.
For Nikita, the test will be another chance to continue his development programme following a successful test with the team at Silverstone in 2016 and drive the cars built to the 2017 regulations.
"I’m really looking forward to testing with Sahara Force India again. I’ve been working with the team for over a year and it’s great to get another chance to drive the car," says Mazepin.
"The last time I drove an F1 car was in 2016 so it’s going to be interesting to make a comparison with the new 2017 regulations. I learned so much from the last test and it’s an important part of my development as a driver. I’ve been doing lots of simulator work to get ready for the test and I’m working hard to make sure I deliver everything the team expects from me."
The test in Budapest gives Lucas Auer his first opportunity to experience a Formula One car following his strong results for Mercedes in the DTM.
"Really exciting news - the most beautiful moment of my life. For me, it's a childhood dream come true to drive an F1 car for the first time," says Auer.
"I'm particularly proud that this will happen with Sahara Force India - a top Formula One team. I must say thank you to everybody who has worked to make this possible, especially to the team at Force India who have given me this opportunity. I will be aiming to make the most of the test - and, of course, I'll be savouring every second of it."
