Bortolotti given Toro Rosso test

Bortolotti: Toro Rosso test

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Toro Rosso have handed Italian teenager Mirko Bortolotti a test at the Jerez circuit in Spain next month.

The 19-year-old, who finished fourth in this year's Formula Two Championship, is a member of the Red Bull Junior programme and won the 2008 Italian F3 title.

He is scheduled to drive on the second of three days at the rookie session, which runs from December 1-3. New Zealand's Brendon Hartley is expected to be in the car on the other two days.

The team have already confirmed that Sebastien Buemi will stay with them next year, while Jaime Alguersuari is also expected to be retained in the other race seat.

Even so, Bortolotti said he was delighted to be given the chance to test - especially given the testing restrictions currently in place in F1.

"I'm very happy and very proud," he said. "My target is to get to Formula One in the next few years so to be selected for this test is very important for my career.

"Of course, if I can get to F1 even sooner then that will be great, but first I must focus on Jerez.

"There are not many chances for young drivers to test an F1 car due to the regulations so I'm very excited and thankful to Red Bull for giving me this opportunity.

"Every mile counts, particularly with the current testing situation, so I will prepare myself well over the next few weeks and be ready to help the team carry out their programme."

Lap record

The test will be Bortolotti's second experience of a Formula One car after he tested for Ferrari at the end of 2008, an invitation which came as part of his prize for winning the Italian F3 title.

He set an unofficial lap record around Ferrari's Fiorano circuit in the F2008 car, beating previous efforts set by regular Scuderia drivers Kimi Raikkonen, Luca Badoer and Marc Gene.

Bortolotti was also linked with a race seat after Felipe Massa suffered injuries in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix but Ferrari opted instead for the experience of Luca Badoer and then Giancarlo Fisichella.