FR3.5 champion Magnussen joins Vandoorne in GP2 test

Magnussen will drive for his FR3.5 team DAMS on the opening day, while Vandoorne will join Arthur Pic at ART.

McLaren is known to be pursuing options for Magnussen to race in Formula 1 in 2014, and his GP2 test with DAMS is a one-off that was arranged as part of his FR3.5 deal for this season.

DAMS boss Jean-Paul Driot told AUTOSPORT: "The day with Kevin was planned much earlier, it was in our [FR3.5] contract with him.

"It's one day, that is all. It doesn't mean anything for Kevin.

"He is looking for Formula 1, and one day in GP2 will be good experience."

Both McLaren juniors have been linked to F1 roles following their success this season, but current McLaren racer Jenson Button, who is part of Vandoorne's management, believes it is important that neither youngster is rushed to the top level.

"You have got to find the best route for every individual," said Button at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. "There is so much that a driver doesn't understand before they drive in F1.

"I'm sure that both of them will be racing in the future in McLaren but it's about coming into the team at the right time so they can have a long and fruitful career."

Speaking at the end of the FR3.5 season last month, both Magnussen and Vandoorne told AUTOSPORT that it was up to McLaren to decide what they would do in 2014.

"My future is not in my hands," said Magnussen. "McLaren told me to win this championship, and I've done that job. It's not up to me now."

Vandoorne, who will also drive for DAMS later in the week, added: "We will talk to McLaren and see what they want to do.

"It's not up to me at this stage, but I know that McLaren is the best place for my future."

Day 1 line-up:

DAMS                            ART
Kevin Magnussen (DK)            Stoffel Vandoorme (B)
Stephane Richelmi (MC)          Arthur Pic (F)

Arden                           Racing Engineering
Nico Muller (CH)                Rio Haryanto (RI)
Rene Binder (A)                 Jolyon Palmer (GB)

Carlin                          Russian Time
Jazeman Jaafar (MAL)            Artem Markelov (RUS)
Carlos Sainz Jr (E)             Mitch Evans (NZ)

Caterham                        Addax
Facu Regalia (RA)               Rodolfo Gonzalez (YV)
Alexander Rossi (USA)           Nikolay Martsenko (RUS)

Rapax                           Trident
Sandy Stuvik (T)                Raffaele Marciello (I)
Simon Trummer (CH)              Julian Leal (CO)

Hilmer                          Lazarus
Daniel Abt (D)                  Johnny Cecotto Jr(YV)
Andre Negrao (BR)               Denis Nagulin (RUS)

MP Motorsport
Will Stevens (GB)
Daniel de Jong (NL)