Formula 1 heads to Mugello for three-day testing

The Formula 1 circus is set to travel to Italy on the 1st of May for a three-days testing program. The test will be crucial for teams to develop upgrades and different aero elements set to be introduced on their cars ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix.

Testing has become a rare opportunity in the middle of a season, and was completely absent for the past few years as different cost-cutting strategies were applied during the economic crisis. 

In 2012, new rules introduced a three-day testing opportunity for teams, right before the kick-off of the European season in Barcelona. 

Currently, almost all teams are confirmed to participate in testing, with no official driver line-up released just yet. Ferrari will send out Alonso and Massa, while Lotus will provide a drive for reserve pilot, Jerome D'Ambrosio, after which Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean will test new aero specs on the E20. McLaren are set to hand over testing duties to Gary Paffet. 

Official line-up will be available later this week.