2011 Abu Dhabi Young Driver Test – A Preview

Between the 15th – 17th of November, the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi plays host to the one and only official in-season test session of the 2011 Formula 1 season as the F1 Paddock stays on in Abu Dhabi for the 2011 Young Driver Test.

To makes sure the teams don’t field any drivers with extensive F1 experience in preparation for 2012 (like Hulkenberg or Raikkonen), the rules for this week stipulate that the teams can only run drivers who have had no more than two Grands Prix worth of experience. This naturally means many of these drivers you’ll see and hear about this week are going to be GP3/GP2, Formula 2 and World Series by Renault drivers who are striving to graduate further up the Motor Sport ladder.

Here is a run down of the drivers that are expected to run throughout the three days:

Red Bull Racing:

Jean Eric-Verge (FRA) – Runner-Up of 2011 World Series by Renault Championship

McLaren:

Gary Paffett (GBR) – Official McLaren Test Driver and 2011 DTM Driver

Oliver Turvey (GBR) – 2011 GP2 and GT3 Driver

 

Ferrari:

Jules Bianchi (FRA) – Official Ferrari Test Driver and 2011 GP2 Driver

 

Mercedes:

Sam Bird (GBR) – 2011 GP2 Driver

 

Renault:

Robert Wickens (CAN) – 2011 World Series by Renault Champion

Kevin Korjus (EST) – 2011 World Series by Renault Driver

Jan Charouz (CZE) – Official Renault Test Driver, Auto GP and World Series by Renault Driver

 

Force India:

Max Chilton (GBR) – 2011 GP2 Driver

Johnny Cecotto Jr. (VEN) – 2011 GP2 Asia & GP2 Driver

 

Sauber:

Fabio Leimer (SUI) – 2011 GP2 Asia & GP2 Driver

Esteban Gutierrez (MEX) – 2011 GP2 Driver

 

Toro Rosso:

Stefano Coletti (MON) – GP2 Asia & GP2 Driver

Kevin Ceccon (ITA) – Auto GP Champion and GP2 Driver

 

Williams:

Valtteri Bottas (FIN) – 2011 GP3 Champion

Mirko Bortolotti (ITA) – 2011 Formula 2 World Champion

Team Lotus:

Rodolfo Gonzalez (VEN) – 2011 GP2 Driver

Luiz Razia (BRA) – 2011 GP2 Driver

Alexander Rossi (USA) – 2011 World Series by Renault Driver

 

HRT:

Dani Clos (ESP) – 2011 GP2 Driver

Virgin Racing:

Adrian Quaife-Hobbs (GBR) – 2011 GP3 Driver

Charles Pic (FRA) – 2011 GP2 Driver

Robert Wickens (CAN) – 2011 World Series by Renault Champion

 

Many of these drivers have never driven an F1 car before, and it will be an interesting few days as the next generation of F1 drivers get to grips with the next stage in their long, hard fought career to reach the top of the Motor Racing ladder. 

With many seats in Formula 1 for 2012 still vacant, the pressure will be on as these drivers will all be out to show they have what it takes to be the new Lewis Hamilton or Sebastian Vettel.