Tio Ellinas gets Marussia young driver role

The test comes as a reward for being the most successful Marussia Manor driver in the GP3 series this year.

Ellinas, who finished the GP3 championship in eighth position, will be the first Cypriot to drive F1 machinery.

"Our young driver programme is a significant component of our team and has been since our inception," said team boss John Booth.

"It is very important to us to not only provide opportunities for the current crop of drivers, but also to nurture the next generation of rising stars.

"Whilst we are incredibly focused on the operations of the Marussia F1 Team at Grands Prix, it is second nature to us to watch with interest the very exciting and encouraging performances we see in the support formulae.

"Tio has done a superb job all season and thoroughly deserves the opportunity of an F1 Test."

Ellinas added: "It was fantastic to win my first race last weekend at Monza. It has been a tough season, but I have learned a lot and it culminated in the success of the weekend at an amazing circuit.

"It doesn't quite seem real that I'm going to get my first F1 test; it is something I have always dreamed of since I was a child.

"The test should come after the season next year, so I will be well prepared for it. I have got a lot of work to do before then though, so I will keep my head down over the winter and work hard to prepare for the 2013 season.

"I really want to thank the Marussia F1 team for this amazing opportunity."