F1: Mercedes, McLaren to run reserves in Abu Dhabi tire test
Only six of the 10 Formula One teams will run their 2015 race drivers during the Pirelli tire test in Abu Dhabi scheduled for Tuesday.
Pirelli requested from the start that teams utilize their race drivers —- or failing that, a third driver who has extensive experience of this year's tires — in order to get good feedback.
Ferrari, Red Bull and Toro Rosso have all nominated both race drivers, while Williams, Force India and Sauber have one apiece. Mercedes will rely on Pascal Wehrlein, McLaren on Stoffel Vandoorne, and Lotus on Jolyon Palmer — arguably the only one of the three who properly fulfills Pirelli's requirement for a third driver who has done a lot of miles this year.
Sauber, Force India and Manor have taken the opportunity to sell the seats (in the first two cases, only for half the day) in order to offset the cost of the test, which has to be covered by the teams. Pirelli is only paying for the hire of the circuit.
Although teams could still change their plans, here is the full list of drivers for the Pirelli test:
Mercedes: Pascal Wehrlein
Ferrari: Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Raikkonen
Red Bull: Daniel Ricciardo, Dany Kvyat
McLaren: Stoffel Vandoorne
Williams: Valtteri Bottas
Force India: Nico Hulkenberg, Alfonso Celis
Toro Rosso: Carlos Sainz, Max Verstappen
Lotus: Jolyon Palmer
Manor: Rio Haryanto, Jordan King
Sauber: Marcus Ericsson, Adderly Fong
