Mercedes-affiliated Esteban Ocon gets Force India Formula 1 test

The Silverstone-based team has quickly found a replacement driver for this week's in-season test at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya after Mercedes reserve Pascal Wehrlein was declared unwell ahead of the first day on Tuesday.

Nick Yelloly, who was due to make his F1 debut on Wednesday, was then told he would be behind the wheel of the VJM08 on Tuesday in place of Wehrlein.

Mercedes, which has Spanish Grand Prix winner Nico Rosberg in the car on Tuesday, is hoping Wehrlein will be fit enough to resume testing with it as planned on Wednesday.

It all means Ocon has stepped into the breach for Force India, taking up the reins just days after Mercedes announced it would be supporting the 18-year-old.

Ocon, last year's Formula 3 European champion, will this season be performing the role of official test and reserve driver for the Mercedes DTM team.

The French teenager has also signed a contractual option that could lead to him becoming a fully-fledged Mercedes driver in the future.

On his GP3 debut at Barcelona last weekend, Ocon won the season-opening race before finishing seventh in the second event.

This week will be his second F1 outing after driving in Abu Dhabi Grand Prix practice and the post-race test for Lotus last year.

REVISED TEST LINE-UP

Mercedes
Tuesday: Nico Rosberg; Wednesday: Pascal Wehrlein

Ferrari
Tuesday: Raffaele Marciello; Wednesday: Esteban Gutierrez

Red Bull
Tuesday: Daniil Kvyat; Wednesday: Pierre Gasly

Williams
Tuesday: Felipe Massa; Wednesday: Alex Lynn

McLaren
Tuesday: Oliver Turvey Wednesday: Jenson Button

Lotus
Tuesday: Pastor Maldonado; Wednesday: Jolyon Palmer

Force India
Tuesday: Nick Yelloly; Wednesday: Esteban Ocon