GP2 stars Jordan King and Rio Haryanto are set to drive for half a day each for Marussia in the 2015 season-ending Pirelli F1 tyre test in Abu Dhabi next week.
The test will be King's first experience of Formula One machinery, although the Briton attended the United States and Mexican Grands Prix this year in a non-racing capacity with Marussia. Haryanto, meanwhile, first tested for the team in 2010, when they ran under the guise of Virgin Racing, and more recently in 2012.
"We look forward to providing Rio and Jordan with the opportunity to drive the MR03B in Abu Dhabi next week," Marussia team principal John Booth said.
Jordan King (GBR) Racing Engineering at GP2 Series, Rd10, Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain, 19-21 November 2015.
In Austin and Mexico I was able to fully immerse myself in the F1 environment...I can't wait to bring everything I've learned together in Abu Dhabi
Jordan King
"For Jordan, this is a planned part of his 2015 role as development driver, following a season spent with the team in an educational capacity. Rio has of course driven two of our cars in previous tests. In 2010, he was considered to be at the very tender age of 17 years old, but we knew he had an exciting future ahead of him.
"Both drivers have extensive experience of running Pirelli tyres in GP2, and specifically the many GP2 tests that have been held in Abu Dhabi, so this leaves them well placed to help us play our part in Pirelli's evaluation programme next week."
King, who sits 12th in this year's GP2 standings, said: "The development driver role has been a fantastic opportunity for me this season and I have enjoyed and benefited from every minute spent with the team.
"In Austin and Mexico I was able to fully immerse myself in the F1 environment and I'm learning about how things work on and off the race track. Naturally, what I've been looking forward to most is the chance to drive the MR03B, and I can't wait to bring everything I've learned together in Abu Dhabi next week."
Indonesia's Haryanto, fourth in the GP2 table heading into this weekend's Abu Dhabi finale, added: "I'm really looking forward to being back with the team at the Abu Dhabi test. In many ways it is essentially the same team, although the car is quite different. I feel much better prepared for this test, and after a very competitive season in GP2, I can't wait to show how much I have developed to become a more complete driver."
The one-day Pirelli test will run for 12 hours on Tuesday December 1, and will focus on helping the official tyre supplier develop their 2016 slick compounds.
.png)