StefanGP to test at Portimao

Having already announced that they have shipped equipment to Bahrain for the season-opening Grand Prix, Stefan Grand Prix has now confirmed that they are to test in the Portimao circuit in Portugal later this month.

The Serbian-based team has concluded an agreement to use the services and technology developed by Toyota, prior to the Japanese-owned team deciding to pull out of Formula One.

Armed with the S-01, a developed version of the TF110 design, the team confirmed that its “first tests for StefanGP will be in Portugal at Portimao test track, on 25-28 February 2010. StefanGP first Formula One car Stefan S-01 will be presented before tests.”

The team has not announced drivers for the test but confirmed that two drivers will be used over the three day test.

The team did however did provide a clue as to the identity of one driver, claiming that he has two years of F1 experience. Rumours suggest that Toyota protégé Kazuki Nakajima will be drafted in for the test.

The team, headed by Zoran Stefanovich, are hoping that they can race from the start of the season - should an existing team be unable make the field and has also secured the services of designer Mike Coughlan.

Coughlan was suspended by McLaren Mercedes in 2007 for his role in the industrial espionage scandal between his then employer and Ferrari.