Force India’s 17-year-old development driver Nikita Mazepin will make his debut at the wheel of the team’s car in next week’s test at Silverstone.

Mazepin, who has driven the team’s simulator and attended several race weekends with them, will drive on both days of the test which follows the British Grand Prix.

Mazepin said the test “will be the biggest moment of my career and it’s something I’ve been working towards my whole life”.

“It’s been a few months since I joined the team and I feel ready for this opportunity. I know it’s an important test for the team and they will be counting on me to do a good job, so I will work hard to make sure we achieve our objectives.”

Force India’s team principal Vijay Mallya said Mazepin “has shown a great level of technical understanding to go with his driving skills”.

Mazepin, who has three superlicence points, currently lies 20th in the European Formula Three championship having scored a single point. He was banned from one race at the Hungaroring after punching rival Callum Ilott.

2016 F1 season