With long term speculation as to the financial security of the Swiss Sauber team, it appears the team is still sticking to it's ethos of giving young drivers a chance. Historically Sauber gave first chances in F1 to the likes of Kimi Raikkonen, Felipe Massa, Robert Kubica and Sebastien Vettel. At a Valencia test next week the team will add two more drivers to that list.
The team announced they would run both Adderly Fong and Roy Nissany in the two year old Sauber C31-Ferrari that Sergio Perez starred in that year. Whilst both these names may not be top of the list of promising drivers in the junior formula's, both may well surprise given their chance next week. Fong is a busy man this season after racing both in GP3 and the World Endurance Championship this year in the LMP2 class, whilst Nissany currently sits 18th in European F3 going into the final round this weekend. The test is scheduled for October 22nd and 23rd, with each driving one day for the team.
In more promising news Lotus have announced they will give European F3 champion Esteban Ocon his debut F1 test next week also in a two year old Lotus E20. It's believed FIA junior formula expert Gerhard Berger pressured the Gravity management team, which owns both Lotus and supports Lotus junior driver Ocon into giving him a test. Berger has been vocal in his support of Ocon, whom he believes is on the same talent level as F3 rival and future Toro Rosso driver Max Verstappen. Ocon will also test a Ferrari later this year as his prize for winning the European F3 championship.
