Tests for Young Drivers – The Silverstone Program

Only three teams will be present at Silverstone for just two days of testing for young drivers, which raises the question, currently unanswered, of what the duration of the Abu Dhabi tests will be: two like Silverstone for perfect equality? Or three as was planned?

Williams has decided to run its reserve and test driver, Valterri Bottas. HRT has decided to run Ma Qing Hua, a member of its young driver program, and for whom it will be his debut at the wheel of an F1 as he told us this weekend at Silverstone.

Marussia, the third team present, will have two members of its young driver program, Max Chilton and Ryo Haryanto, both Carlin drivers in GP2 this season, take the wheel. Chilton has already had the opportunity to drive an F1 car, but he believes he is better prepared now with an additional year of competition: I drove an F1 car once in the past – the Force India in 2011 – but I feel that with an extra year in GP2 behind me to develop my driving skills, I feel much more prepared this time and I am eager to demonstrate this progress.

Ryo Haryanto is also thrilled about this opportunity and is eager to continue his progression toward his dream of becoming the first Indonesian in Formula 1: « With the limited testing available in Formula 1, every moment a young driver can spend in an F1 car is very valuable for their future. I am looking forward to this experience, and I am sure that in Indonesia, millions of fans will be delighted to see me take another step toward my dream of becoming the first Indonesian driver to participate in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship. »

Note that during these two test days, the drivers will run on two different layouts of the Silverstone circuit. On Thursday, they will be able to drive on the “Grand Prix Circuit,” which is the one used for the Formula 1 Grand Prix and familiar to Max Chilton, Ryo Haryanto from their experience in GP2, and Valtteri Bottas for having driven the Williams on Friday.

Friday, the four men will race on the “International Circuit,” a much shorter track than the one used for F1 – 2.978 km compared to 5.889 km. You can see what this configuration looks like by clicking [on this link](https://www.silverstone.co.uk/Global/Images/Track/Circuit%20Maps/2011%20Track%20Maps/The-International-Circuit.gif).

The 2012 Young Driver F1 Test Schedule at Silverstone