Kiwi Hartley to test for Red Bull

Share

New Zealand's Brendon Hartley will test for the Red Bull Formula One team in the wake of regular driver Mark Webber breaking his leg last week.

The Formula Three driver will join Sebastian Vettel and Sebastien Buemi for testing at the Jerez circuit in southern Spain on 15 December.

Hartley, a Red Bull junior driver, recently finished third in the Macau F3 Grand Prix after starting in 20th.

The 19-year-old Hartley also set a lap record in the process.

"Brendon is one of several promising talents in the Red Bull Junior Team and an opportunity has arisen to allow him to get some time in a Formula One car," said Red Bull team boss Christian Horner.

Webber broke his right leg last weekend after a collision with a car while cycling in a charity event in Tasmania.

The 32-year-old hopes to be back behind the wheel for the first test of the team's 2009 car in February. The 2009 season starts in Australia on 29 March.