Latifi, Mazepin to drive for Force India in Barcelona test
Force India reserve and test driver Nicholas Latifi will make his first appearance in the team’s 2018 Formula 1 car at the post-Spanish Grand Prix in-season test.
The Canadian, who currently sits eighth in the 2018 Formula 2 standings after securing his first podium of the season for DAMS in Baku, was set to drive for the Silverstone-based squad during pre-season testing in Barcelona but missed the test after being hospitalised by a serious infection.
Force India reserve and test driver Nicholas Latifi will make his first appearance in the team’s 2018 Formula 1 car at the post-Spanish Grand Prix in-season test.
The Canadian, who currently sits eighth in the 2018 Formula 2 standings after securing his first podium of the season for DAMS in Baku, was set to drive for the Silverstone-based squad during pre-season testing in Barcelona but missed the test after being hospitalised by a serious infection.
He will drive the VJM11 for the first time at the Spanish Grand Prix venue on the opening day of testing on May 15, before handing over to development driver Nikita Mazepin, who debuted Force India’s 2018 F1 challenger in winter testing, on the Wednesday.
Force India will run a second VJM11 during the test as part of Pirelli’s 2018 tyre testing programme, with Mercedes junior George Russell - who claimed a stunning maiden F2 win from 12th on the grid in Baku - driving on Tuesday, before F2 rival Latifi takes over test duties on Wednesday.
Latifi is also set to take part in his first F1 practice session outing during FP1 at June’s Canadian Grand Prix.
