BARCELONA, Spain -- Russian driver Nikita Mazepin kept Mercedes at the top of the timesheets on the second day of this week's in-season test at the Circuit de Catalunya.
The two-day test was the last opportunity teams have to complete unrestricted testing before the end of the season and Mercedes opted to give the day to the 20-year-old Russian F2 driver. Mazepin tested for Force India in 2016, 2017 and 2018 and is currently paying for a series of private tests in Mercedes' 2017 car while also helping out at the factory as a simulator driver.
Under the regulations, at least two of the four in-season test days have to be completed by a driver with less than three grands prix experience and, with no junior drivers on its books who meet the criteria, Mazepin was the logical choice.