This year's Formula Renault 3.5 grid is packed with Formula 1 reserve and test drivers. McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull, Lotus, Mercedes, Force India and Caterham all have drivers on their books racing in the Renault championship this year.
But this weekend, a man without a Formula 1 contract in his pocket will be getting behind the wheel of the 2010 world championship winning Red Bull RB6. And deservedly so.
Organisers of the Renault-backed series knew ahead of this season that the deluge of F1 contracted drivers would bring one slight problem with it: a clash of interests over the prize F1 tests offered by the championship. Deals were made to prevent anybody affiliated to a rival of Red Bull from getting the prize tests offered at the halfway stage and the end of the season.
It had the potential to reflect quite badly on the championship, as tests meant for the best in the series could end up going to someone in the lower end of the top 10. But thanks to the fantastic efforts of one Dutchman in particular, the RB6 outing at this weekend's Moscow World Series by Renault meeting has gone to a very deserving recipient.