Mercedes DTM front-runner Paul di Resta and American rising star JR Hildebrand have been selected to drive for Force India in Formula 1’s young driver test at Jerez next week.
Di Resta, 23, is a protégé of Mercedes-Benz and finished third in this year’s DTM championship, while 21-year-old Hildebrand has been climbing the US single-seater ranks and is the current Indy Lights champion.
Force India said it chose the pair on the basis of “outstanding” performances in the team’s simulator last month, and that they could stake a claim to a full-time reserve driver role for 2010 if they perform strongly at the Jerez event.
“We will be looking at their performance on track very closely and should they perform well, as we are confident they will, we will look at a permanent role for one within the team in 2010, potentially as a test and reserve driver,” said team boss Vijay Mallya.
“As a young team we are looking for drivers who can grow with us.
“As we've always said, nationality isn't the primary selection criteria – it's talent and dedication to the cause and we have seen enough to know that these two have both.”
Di Resta, who was linked with a 2009 race seat at Force India before the team opted to retain Giancarlo Fisichella and Adrian Sutil, is hoping the test will move him closer to his dream of racing in F1.
“It's been a while since I last tested an F1 car but I've been working hard in the simulator and giving it my all in the DTM so I'm confident I'll be up to speed quickly,” said the Scotsman.
“I'm realistic that I've got a lot to prove and that I need a bit more experience of the cars and the F1 environment before getting a permanent seat but this is just the beginning of what I hope will be a very bright future with Force India.”
Hildebrand admits the VJM02 will be a quantum leap in performance from anything he has driven before, but is optimistic he will be able to showcase his potential nonetheless.
“I'm ecstatic to get my first taste of F1,” he said.
“I've heard so much about the performance of the cars and know this is going to be quicker and more responsive than anything I've ever sat in before.
“I know it's a big challenge but I feel ready to tackle it.
“The aim is to learn the track and the car and then hopefully show my potential.
“As an American we don't necessarily have the culture of F1 but anything that's so impressive and cutting-edge demands respect.
“I hope I can do the car and myself justice.
“Thanks to everyone for making this happen, I can't wait to get to Jerez.”
The young driver test takes place on 1-3 December.
Di Resta and Hildebrand will each be given one full day’s track time, with the American scheduled to drive first on Tuesday morning and then again on Wednesday afternoon, and the Scot taking the wheel on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning.
Force India has not yet decided who will drive the VJM02 on Thursday and said this would be “dependent on the progress of the test programme”.
The Silverstone-based squad has yet to confirm its race driver line-up for next season.