Biagi earns Midland test.

Midland F1 has announced that Thomas Biagi is to join the team for testing at Jerez in December

Biagi, who clinched the 2003 FIA GT championship and currently sits sixth in the standings driving for the Vitaphone Maserati team, will get behind the wheel of a Formula One machine for the first time and said he was already busy preparing himself for the challenge.

"After a successful career in World GT, I'm delighted to be able to demonstrate my level of performance with a Formula One car for the first time," the 29-year-old Italian said. "In recognition of what will be an important step in my career, I have begun preparing myself physically and mentally for this test with an intensive training program.

"I would like to thank the team for giving to me this fantastic opportunity and for believing in my potential. I would also like to acknowledge the dedicated efforts of my manager, Eva Baldassin, who has played an important role toward achieving this."

Team managing director Colin Kolles said he felt Biagi has done enough in GT racing to justify being given an F1 test and said he was pleased the team was able to give him the opportunity.

"Thomas Biagi has been very successful in different motorsport categories, especially in the FIA GT Championship," he said. "He won the title in 2003 with six wins and is currently fighting for the lead in the Championship this year. I'm glad that we are able to offer him his first F1 test so that he can show his potential."