Mugello line-up taking shape

The driver line-up for next week's Mugello test is beginning to take shape with Lotus, Caterham and Sauber all confirming their respective driver plans.

Nine line-ups confirmed, with HRT to skip test

The driver line-ups for this week's test at Mugello are fast taking shape, with several teams set to hand at least some track time over to test drivers. The Ferrari-owned Tuscan circuit will stage Formula 1's first in-season test since 2008 for three-days from Tuesday, with 11 of the grid's 12 teams in action trying out development parts for the following week's Spanish GP. Ferrari, the effective 'home' team, face a particularly crucial test after a disappointing start to the season and will run Fernando Alonso on days one and two with team-mate Felipe Massa in the F2012 on the second day only. Another member of the team's driver roster, Academy member Jules Bianchi, will also be in action on Tuesday, but in Force India's VJM05 car as the Frenchman gets another chance to get F1 mileage under his belt. Regular Force India race drivers Paul di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg will then take over the car on days two and three respectively. Williams will also kick off the week with their third driver - Valtteri Bottas - before Bruno Senna and Pastor Maldonado are given a day apiece around Mugello. Lotus, Caterham and Sauber had all previously announced their own respective line-ups, with the former two teams to hand first runs in their 2012 cars to test drivers Jerome d'Ambrosio and Rodolfo Gonzalez respectively. The Enstone based Lotus team were first to announce their plans with the squad to run Belgian reserve d'Ambrosio, who was released by Marussia after just a single season of Formula 1 racing in December, on day one of the test on Tuesday before race drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean take over the E20 on days two and three respectively. Team Principal Eric Boullier has been impressed with d'Ambrosio's work ethic since joining the team in January and believes the day of testing will benefit both driver and team. "Jérôme has been very patiently attending all the races and has been a conscientious and regular visitor to Enstone since he was announced as our third driver," the Frenchman said. "It's clear he has been very eager to get behind the wheel and it will be invaluable for us as a team that he gets this opportunity. "We have given him a full day to get to grips with the E20, and look forward to receiving his feedback from the test." D'Ambrosio himself admits he is eager to get back into a competitive F1 environment for the first time since last November's Brazilian GP and reckons the fact he is being given the opportunity vindicates his decision to join Lotus. "It's an amazing opportunity for me, and I'd like to thank Lotus F1 Team for giving me the chance to experience the E20; it's a great car and I can't wait to drive it," said the 26-year-old, who stood in for Sky Sports F1's Anthony Davidson alongside David Croft for commentary of practice sessions in Bahrain. "I know the team from my rookie day in Abu Dhabi in 2010, and I've felt very comfortable at Enstone this year which I'm sure will be a big help. Kimi and Romain needed time in the car during the winter after two years away, so the fact that this test has been put on the calendar after the first four races of the season gives me an opportunity to drive. "It will be very valuable for me to get back into a Formula 1 car after six months, which has felt like quite a while. I've said all along that a third driver position with a top team would be much better for my career this year, and I'm starting to see the benefits of that strategy. I've learnt a lot so far with Lotus F1 Team, and this is just the beginning." Caterham, meanwhile, will run a similar schedule with Venezuelan GP2 driver Gonzalez to return for his third test run-out for the team since 2010. The 25-year-old, who drives for the team's junior Caterham Racing GP2 outfit, will kick off the team's Mugello programme before Vitaly Petrov and Heikki Kovalainen take to the car over the following two days. However, Sauber, have opted to stick with their race drivers for the duration of the three-day test. A team spokesperson confirmed to skysports.com/formula1 that Kamui Kobayashi will drive the C31 on Tuesday and Wednesday with Sergio Perez taking over the car for Thursday's final day. World Champions Red Bull said they expected to outline their plans by the end of this week. McLaren had previously announced that test drivers Gary Paffett and Oliver Turvey would be charged with carrying out their development work in Italy, and although on Tuesday Lewis Hamilton suggested those plans could yet change, the Woking team have confirmed that their line-up remains unchanged. Confirmed Line-Ups:
Caterham: Rodolfo Gonzalez, May 1; Vitaly Petrov, May 2; Heikki Kovalainen, May 3. Ferrari: Fernando Alonso May 1 and 2; Felipe Massa, May 3. HRT: The team have announced they will miss the test. Lotus: Jerome D'Ambrosio, May 1; Kimi Raikkonen, May 2; Romain Grosjean May 3. Sauber: Kamui Kobayashi, May 1 and 2; Sergio Perez, May 3. Force India: Jules Bianchi, May 1; Paul di Resta, May 2; Nico Hulkenberg, May 3. Williams: Valtteri Bottas, May 1; Bruno Senna, May 2; Pastor Maldonado, May 3. McLaren: Oliver Turvey (AM), Gary Paffett (PM), May 1; Gary Paffett, May 2; Oliver Turvey, May 3. Toro Rosso: Jean Eric-Vergne, May 1 and 2 (AM); Daniel Ricciardo, May 2 (PM), and 3. Mercedes: Nico Rosberg (AM), Michael Schumacher (PM), May 1; Michael Schumacher, May 2; Nico Rosberg, May 3.