test2wa

Formula 1

The cream of motor racing's emerging crop will be on display in Jerez as Formula One provides a showcase for a number of young drivers.

With the current ban on in-season testing, the three-day test which starts on Tuesday is the only one available to the teams to cast their eye over potential stars of the future.

Nine of the marques that competed in this year's championship will be in attendance, with Toyota the only exception after their recent withdrawal from the sport.

Despite their own decision to no longer compete in F1, BMW will uphold a commitment made to Esteban Gutierrez from Mexico and American Alexander Rossi, both 18, prior to the German manufacturing giants announcing their plans.

The only driver on show guaranteed an F1 seat for next year is Nico Hulkenberg, who will partner Rubens Barrichello at Williams.

Two of Britain's most promising prospects, Paul di Resta and Oliver Turvey, test for Force India and McLaren respectively.

Di Resta is a member of the Mercedes-Benz young driver development programme and has raced for the German manufacturer in the DTM saloon car championship for the past three seasons.

The 23-year-old Scot effectively goes head-to-head with American JR Hildebrand for the chance to become Force India's third driver for 2010.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for me and another important step towards fulfilling my dream," said di Resta.

"This is a very realistic opportunity to establish a solid, long-term working relationship with Force India which I hope will develop over the coming years."

Turvey's drive has been a long time coming as it is part of his prize for winning the 2006 McLaren Autosport BRDC Award.

The 22-year-old from Cumbria, who is due to compete in GP2 next season, said: "I've gone over this moment so many times in my mind.

"It's very exciting to be getting this opportunity to test with the team at Jerez this week."

Another prize winner is Spain-born Andy Soucek, who will be joining Hulkenberg in a Williams following his success in F2 this year as the cars are designed by the Grove-based marque.

"For me it is like a dream come true, having an F1 team focus on you for an entire day," Soucek said.

Brazilian Lucas di Grassi, strongly linked with a drive with Manor GP - one of the four new teams on the grid for next year - will test for Renault, along with Ho-Pin Tung from China and Belgian Bertrand Baguette.

Britain's Mike Conway and 19-year-old Marcus Ericsson from Sweden will drive for Brawn GP, recently taken over by Mercedes.

Ferrari have a quartet of Formula Three drivers in the cockpit in Italians Daniel Zampieri and Marco Zipoli, Mexican Pablo Sanchez Lopez and Jules Bianchi from France.

Red Bull will look at 20-year-old Australian Daniel Ricciardo, with Toro Rosso running the rule over New Zealander Brendon Hartley and Italian Mirko Bortolotti.