Jules Bianchi Confirmed Ferrari Test Driver for 2011

Ferrari confirmed today that they have signed Jules Bianchi as their new test driver for the 2011 season of Formula One. In fact, this may very well be regarded as a promotion for the 21-year old Frenchman, who had already signed a long-term deal with the Scuderia last year. Bianchi is actually the first driver to have entered the newly-created Ferrari Driver Academy Programme.

Shortly after signing his deal with Ferrari, Bianchi secured a spot inside the GP2 Series early in 2010, with ART Grand Prix. Heading to the season finale this weekend, the Frenchman is currently 3rd in the standings, without any chances of passing Pastor Maldonado for 1st place but holding some slim chances of becoming vice-champion, ahead of Sergio Perez.

Unlike the two aforementioned drivers, Bianchi's ambition for 2011 is not to make a rushed step into Formula One, but cement his stay in the GP2 Series.

Being a test driver for an entire season with Ferrari may not sound like a big deal nowadays – as the FIA prohibits in-season testing, while the off-season ones are used entirely by the race drivers – but Bianchi will will get the proper chance to test the F10 shortly after the F1 season is over, in Abu Dhabi, during the two-day young driver test (November 16).

In addition to that news, it was confirmed that Ferrari will continue to test young drivers coming from Italian competitions, namely the Top 3 drivers from this year's Italian Formula 3 Championship. Their names are Cesar Ramos (Brazil), Stephane Richelmi (Monaco) and Andrea Caldarelli (Italy) and they will get the chance to drive the Ferrari F2008 challenger on December 2nd, at the Vallelunga circuit near Rome.

In the meantime, Ferrari are yet to confirm the full test driver lineup for their 2011 campaign, with Giancarlo Fisichella, Marc Gene and Luca Badoer still sharing that job in 2010.