---
title: "Force India sign Mazepin as development driver"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2016/02/02/force-india-sign-mazepin-development-driver/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Cameron Paterson"
section: "F1 News"
published: "2016-02-02T14:41:38Z"
modified: "2016-02-02T14:42:24Z"
---

# Force India sign Mazepin as development driver

Force India have announced Russian Nikita Mazepin as their development driver for the upcoming season as part of a ‘long-term association with the team’.

The 16-year-old’s learning process will include an ‘extensive development programme’ alongside sessions in the team’s simulator and attending some race events during the year.

Mazepin took part in Formula Renault 2.0 last year and will race in the Formula 3 Euro Series with Hi-Tech Racing alongside his commitments with the Silverstone-based team.

“It’s an incredible feeling to join Sahara Force India. It’s the biggest step of my career and I want to thank Vijay and everyone in the team for giving me this opportunity. I’m still young and I have a lot to learn, so the guidance and experience of Sahara Force India is really important for my development. My goal is to race in Formula One in the future and today’s news takes me closer to achieving that objective. I will work hard to help the team and do everything I can to improve my skills on and off the track.”

![Clive Mason/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2016/02/499033744.jpg)

Team Principal Vijay Mallya also talked of his excitement of hiring the Russian:

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Nikita to begin his Formula One apprenticeship and become fully embedded inside our team. We have a strong track record of identifying and nurturing young talent and it is clear that Nikita is already a very capable and determined racer. 2016 will provide the perfect opportunity to showcase his abilities and develop the skills needed to become a Formula One driver.

“We plan to use him extensively on our new simulator and he will also support our in-season testing programme, which will play an important role in the development of the VJM09. It’s also exciting for the team to begin working with a young Russian driver given the success of the Russian Grand Prix in recent years. It’s a market with huge potential for Formula One and the emergence of young talents, such as Nikita, will ensure interest in the sport continues to grow rapidly.”

Mazepin joins Mexican Alfonso Celis Jr. as a development driver who will learn from drivers Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg in 2016.