Force India sign teenager Alfonso​ Celis as development driver

Silverstone: Sahara Force India have signed Alfonso Celis as their development driver and the 19-year-old from Mexico will get his first experience of a Formula One car at the season-ending Abu Dhabi test.

Alfonso is one of the most promising young Mexicans emerging from the junior formulas. Following karting success in Mexico, he moved to Europe in 2013 to compete in the Formula Renault NEC championship, and progressed to the GP3 Series last year. This year he raced for ART in GP3 in parallel to a World Series by Renault programme with AVF.

In his development role with Force India, Alfonso will spend time on the simulator at the team's factory here. He will also take part in seven official practice sessions at Grand Prix events during the 2016 season, sharing duties with Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg.

"Ever since I started racing I've been dreaming of Formula One, so it's a huge honour to begin working with Sahara Force India. It's an amazing opportunity for me to learn about Formula One and to work closely with the engineers and race drivers. Being on the track in Abu Dhabi will be an incredible feeling. It's going to be the biggest moment in my career and I am fully focused on doing a good job for the team," said Celis.