Virgin Racing will again offer a Formula 1 test to the most successful driver from the affiliated Manor Racing GP3 squad's lineup this year, the teams have confirmed.
As part of a talent development system that will also see Virgin Racing back new karting category Formula KGP, the top scoring driver from Manor's three-car GP3 team will drive for Virgin in the winter young driver F1 sessions.
Last year this prize saw Indonesian teenager Rio Haryanto get his first taste of F1 with Virgin in the Abu Dhabi tests, having taken fifth in the GP3 standings for Manor. Haryanto stays on for a second year of GP3 with Manor this year, along with his 2010 teammate Adrian Quaife-Hobbs. Finland's Matias Laine moves over from the Formula 3 Euro Series to drive Manor's third car.
Both Virgin and Manor are run by Manor founder John Booth, with the GP3 cars sporting the F1 team's Marussia Virgin livery.