Sainz Junior to test for Red Bull

Carlos Sainz Junior, the 18-year-old motor racing son of two-time world rally drivers’ champion Carlos Sainz, is set to make his first run in a Formula One car next month when he tests for Red Bull.

Sainz, who is currently racing in GP3, makes his appearace at the Silverstone “young drivers’ test”, is sure to attract attention because of his father’s pedigree and reputation as one of Spain’s motor sport’s greats.

The elder Sainz was widely regarded as a national hero and the man who paved the way for Fernando Alonso‘s rise to eminence and fame.

He won two world titles with Toyota in 1990 and 1992 and finished runner-up four times in an outsanding career as Spain’s first great motorsports hero.

His son is scheduled to run for Red Bull on the final day of the test from July 17 to 19, following two days testing by Portuguese driver Antonio Felix da Costa in the car.

Da Costa ran in last year’s test and was the team’s reserve driver at the Chinese and Canadian Grands Prix. He is currently racing in Formula Renault 3.5.

News of the line-up for the test was the highlight of Friday morning’s limited action at Silverstone, where opening free practice for the British Grand Prix was virtually washed out by torrential rain.

A handful of cars made their way out on the circuit late in the session to entertain a near-capacity crowd, with Australian Daniel Ricciardo, of Toro Rosso, showing why he is tipped as a possible successor to compatriot Mark Webber at Red Bull next season.

Webber, 36, announced on Thursday that he is leaving Formula One for sportscar racing with Porsche next year.

str/phz