Prospective GP2 driver Oliver Turvey will be cashing in his BRDC Young Driver prize of a test with McLaren at Jerez.
Turvey, who is set to race for Norfolk-based iSport in the winter GP2 Asia event and in the main series next year, will appear for the F1 team in the young driver test taking place at the circuit from tomorrow.
He will join fellow Brits Paul di Resta, testing for Force India with an eye on that team’s reserve spot, and IRL and GP2 pilot Mike Conway, renewing an acquaintance with the Mercedes team that goes back to its days as Honda.
Turvey, now 22, won the McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver Award in 2006. According to a team press release, he has visited Woking for a seat fitting, and has been briefed by engineers on the MP4-24 – the 2009-season car that he is set to drive.
He said: “I’ve gone over this moment so many times in my mind, so it’s very exciting to be getting this opportunity to test with the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team at Jerez this week.
“My aim is to enjoy the experience, but also to learn as much as I can from it. If possible, I’d also like to be able to help the team with their preparations for the 2010 season.”
Team principal Martin Whitmarsh added: “We’re extremely proud of our commitment to young talent and the efforts we’ve made to ensure the McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver winners are given the experience of a lifetime when they test with us.
“A drive in a race-wining Formula 1 car is every racing driver’s dream, and I’m sure Oliver will use this week’s test as the perfect opportunity to broaden his experience as he continues his successful single-seater career.”
Turvey’s test will come barely a fortnight after the team gave the 2007 award winner Stefan Wilson his test at Silverstone. Still waiting in the wings for his go in the car is last year’s winner Alexander Sims, while the 2009 award is between James Calado, Adam Christodoulou, James Cole, Callum MacLeod, Chrissy Palmer, and Dean Smith.