• Force India news

Rossiter likely to drive at Jerez

Paul di Resta gave the VJM06 a shakedown at Silverstone on Friday © Sutton Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• Teams:
• Racing Point

Force India simulator driver James Rossiter is likely to drive during the first test at Jerez as the team is yet to confirm its second race driver.

Having taken the new VJM06 out for a shakedown at Silverstone following its launch on Friday, Paul di Resta will do the initial running in Spain as the team's only confirmed driver. However, deputy team principal Bob Fernley doesn't think that having an incomplete driver line-up will hamper the test schedule and hinted that di Resta won't run on all four days.

"I don't think [it'll be a negative], most of the work we'll be doing in Jerez is systems work so we're quite comfortable to run Paul through there," Fernley said. There will probably be some variations but you'll find out about that in the next few days."

When asked about Rossiter's chances of driving the car, Fernley replied: "It's a possibility, because we're doing a simulator development program and James is going to benchmark that."

Fernley also doesn't believe that the late confirmation will affect the driver's ability to get comfortable with the car by the first race.

"I don't think it makes any difference. Don't forget that most of our work is done today on simulators. It's nice to have the track time but the track time is only quality if we've got the conditions to go with it. So as long as the conditions are reasonable in Barcelona I don't think there'll be any problems whatsoever with the driver getting up to speed."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.