Williams’ Merc deal could pay off for Juncadella

Williams’ new engine deal with Mercedes could be set to pay off immediately for Dani Juncadella.

The 22-year-old Spaniard was signed up by Mercedes for the DTM season in 2013, and he is also a development driver for the German marque’s Brackley based works F1 team.

Just before Williams’ new V6 Mercedes deal for 2014 and beyond was announced, the Grove based team signed a sponsor agreement with Kazakhstan investment company TAK Group, to promote the capital Astana.

Juncadella, whose uncle is the former HRT team boss Luis Perez-Sala, is also sponsored by Astana.

And TAK Group’s Artur Ardavichus has been quoted by Spanish sports daily Marca: "It is difficult to get into Mercedes (F1 team) without special training.

"Therefore, Astana wants Dani to progress and gain experience with Williams, to prepare him to be a formula one driver with Mercedes."

That could mean Juncadella gets to drive Williams’ Renault-powered 2013 car at Silverstone in July, for the young drivers’ test.

But Marca admitted that Juncadella, refusing to confirm the Williams test rumours, was "surprised" by Ardavichus’ comments.