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Sainz Jr handed Red Bull Abu Dhabi test outing

17 Nov 2014

Formula Renault 3.5 champion Carlos Sainz Jr will join Daniel Ricciardo in Red Bull's line-up for the final Formula One test of 2014 in Abu Dhabi.

Sainz, who won seven times en route to becoming the youngest champion in FR3.5 history this year, will drive on the first day of the two-day test, which will be held on the Yas Marina circuit on November 25-26.

It will be the Spaniard's second test for Red Bull, following his appearance in last year's young driver session at Silverstone, when he completed 35 laps in the RB9. He also drove for Toro Rosso in the same test, and more recently completed a demonstration run in the Red Bull RB8 as a reward for leading the FR3.5 championship at the halfway point of the season.

Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost said recently that Sainz was one of four drivers in contention for a 2015 race seat with the team, alongside rookie Max Verstappen.

Meanwhile, McLaren have announced that they will part company with long-term test and reserve driver Gary Paffett at the end of the season. The split coincides with McLaren moving from Mercedes to Honda power for 2015, as Paffett remains part of the German manufacturer's factory DTM programme.