Renault to test Chinese driver

Ho-Pin Tung sits while resin for seat fitting hardens

China's Ho-Pin Tung will join Belgian Bertrand Baguette and Brazilian Lucas di Grassi in testing for Renault in Spain next week, the Formula One team said on Friday.

The Dutch-born 26-year-old became the first Chinese to drive a grand prix car when he tested for Williams in December 2003. Since then he has competed in the GP2 and A1 Grand Prix series.

Baguette, 23, will be driving a Formula One car for the first time as a prize for winning the World Series by Renault title while Di Grassi was the team's official reserve last season.

Renault still have a driver vacancy for 2010 after signing Poland's Robert Kubica to replace departed Spanish double world champion Fernando Alonso.

'Testing is so restricted nowadays, but this young driver test is the perfect opportunity for us to assess rising stars such as Bertrand, Ho-Pin and Lucas,' said acting team principal Bob Bell in a statement.

'All these drivers have shown great promise and we look forward to seeing what they are capable of as we complete our test program for the year.'