Renault hand Ocon Spanish practice outing

Renault reserve driver Esteban Ocon will participate in Friday’s opening practice for next weekend’s Formula 1 Gran Premio de Espana Pirelli 2016, the team have confirmed. The Frenchman will take the place of Jolyon Palmer.

Ocon, whose only previous official Grand Prix outing came in the same session with Lotus back in Abu Dhabi 2014, will also share driving duties with Kevin Magnussen in the two-day, post-race test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

It will be a busy week for the reigning GP3 champion, who also tested with Force India last year. Ahead of his F1 commitments with Renault, this weekend will see him making his DTM race debut with Mercedes at Germany’s Hockenheim circuit.