Reports: Wehrlein poised for Barcelona test run with Force India - MotorSportsTalk

Mercedes reserve driver Pascal Wehrlein (pictured with Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg) is set to take part in the upcoming pre-season F1 test for Force India, according to reports in the German media.

Wehrlein, 20, joined the constructors’ champions in 2014 as a reserve driver, balancing the role with his commitments in the DTM championship.

With F1 testing limited nowadays, Wehrlein’s first run in the Mercedes W05 Hybrid came at the end-of-year test in Abu Dhabi last November. However, he put in an impressive display to post the fastest time of the two-day test, beating Valtteri Bottas and Raffaele Marciello.

Wehrlein could be set to get some more F1 testing under his belt next week, with German publications F1-Insider and Motorsport Total reporting that he will conduct running for Force India in Barcelona.

F1-Insider’s report suggests that Wehrlein is being used as a makeweight by Mercedes as it has not received its payment from Force India for its power unit supply.

Force India’s recent struggles have been well documented, with the team missing the first test in Jerez completely. It will be testing in Barcelona next week, albeit with the 2014 car, before introducing the new VJM08 in the final pre-season test at the end of February.

For Wehrlein, this presents a great opportunity for him to show the onlooking F1 paddock what he can do behind the wheel of a current car, and it is unlikely to be his last test of the year.

Wehrlein will continue to race in the DTM series this year for Mercedes, having claimed his first win in the touring car championship at the Lausitzring in 2014.

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In a continuing effort to help fans keep track of the on track action, SuperMotocross is in the process of developing and implementing leader lights for the unified series.

Currently Supercross (SMX) utilizes stanchions in the infield that are triggered manually by a race official. At least two stanchions are used in each race as a way to draw the eye to the leader, which is especially useful in the tight confines of the stadium series when lapping often begins before the halfway mark in the 22-bike field. This system has been in place for the past two decades.

Later this year, a fully automated system will move to the bike itself to replace the old system. At that point, fans will be able to identify the leader regardless of where he is on track.

The leader lights were tested in the second Anaheim round this year. An example can be seen at the 1:45 mark in the video above on the No. 69 bike.

“What we don’t want to do is move too fast, where it’s confusing to people,” said Mike Muye, senior director of operations for Supercross and SMX in a press release. “We’ve really just focused on the leader at this point with the thought that maybe down the road we’ll introduce others.”

Scheduled to debut with the first SuperMotocross World Championship race at zMax Dragway, located just outside the Charlotte Motor Speedway, a 3D carbon fiber-printed LED light will be affixed to each motorcycle. Ten timing loops positioned around the track will trigger the lights of the leader, which will turn green.

SMX’s partner LiveTime Scoring helped develop and implement the system that has been tested in some form or fashion since 2019.

When the leader lights are successfully deployed, SuperMotocross will explore expanding the system to identify the second- and third-place riders. Depending on need and fan acceptance, more positions could be added.

SuperMotocross is exploring future enhancements, including allowing for live fan interaction with the lights and ways to use the lighting system during the race’s opening ceremony.

Read more about SuperMotocross