Bahrain Testing: The Scheduled Program

Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari, and Toro Rosso will meet next week in Bahrain on the Sakhir track to conduct tests for Pirelli and assist the Italian firm in the design and development of its 2014 tires.

If, on the side of Scuderia Toro Rosso, it was decided to run their 2014 main drivers, Jean-Eric Vergne and Daniil Kvyat, each having a day and a half of testing, this is not the case at Red Bull and Ferrari. The Austrian team has decided to entrust these three test days to Sébastien Buemi, who has recently been confirmed as a test driver for the 2014 season.

At Ferrari, it’s Pedro de la Rosa and Jules Bianchi who have been chosen to conduct these tests. The decision to have Pedro de la Rosa participate is part of the continuity of the simulator development work done, as explained by Ferrari on its official website, while for Bianchi – a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy – he will have the opportunity to demonstrate the progress made this year in Formula 1 with the Marussia F1 Team.

On the Mercedes side, for the moment, the team has not announced its drivers for these three days of testing, but according to some observers, the German team is expected to follow Ferrari and Red Bull by not having its main drivers participate. Therefore, these tests could be conducted by Sam Bird or Brendon Hartley, the team’s test and reserve drivers. Jazeman Jaafar, who was evaluated in late November by Mercedes at the wheel of the F1 W02, could also be one of the candidates if the star brand decides not to retain Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton for these tests.

The Bahrain Tire Testing Program