BAR test for Brits

The two British stars shone during an initial selection process, which featured nine drivers in total and took place over three days at the team's Brackley headquarters. BAR decided that the Britons, as well as South African van der Merwe, showed the most potential during evaluation of their physical and mental capabilities, as well as driving abilities.

The three drivers will each have two half-day sessions in the car for the Jerez test, where they will work alongside team regulars Takuma Sato and Enrique Bernoldi. The driver that impresses the most is then likely to go on and conduct further testing for the team.

BAR has created the young driver programme as a way of creating a more structured system for bringing on rising stars. The scheme is the brainchild of BAR race engineer Jock Clear.

Speaking about the scheme, Clear said: "The Young Driver initiative which we are putting into place at BAR is the result of a considerable period of careful planning and research.

"We have been working with the best in the business in terms of sports psychology, fitness and motivation, added to which is the input from BAR's engineering experts. The investment from the team has been substantial and so far we are pleased with the results seen and the commitment of all the drivers who have participated.

"It is about developing the talent of the future on a structured two-year programme which will hopefully prepare them for the unique challenge of Formula 1. The jump from the junior formulae is huge. However, by guiding and supporting these drivers we hope the long-term benefit will see them make the grade with BAR in the future."