MF1 sign Winkelhock as test driver

The 25-year old German, third in the 2005 World Series by Renault, had already tested for the team in a one-day test at Jerez in December, in what was his Formula One debut.

He is the son of Manfred Winkelhock, who drove in Formula One in from 1980 to 1985.

"Markus showed true class in the test before Christmas," said Managing Director Colin Kolles. "He was immediately at home in a Formula One car and he will be a big asset to our development programme this year."

As well as sharing testing duties with the team's race drivers, Winkelhock will also participate in MF1's Grand Prix Friday driver line-up, the full details of which will be announced at a later date.

"(The first test was) an unforgettable experience," he said. "It gave me the hunger for more and this opportunity with Midland is fantastic for me.

"I know the team has a big development programme for the new MF1-Toyota M16 and I look forward to being constructively involved with it."