Kyalami Joins Test Route.

South African circuit Kyalami has been pencilled in for a major Formula One test before the 2000 season gets underway, joining the list of other warm-weather destinations expected to welcome teams in the coming months.


The former South African GP venue joins the likes of Jerez, Barcelona and Estoril as probable testing bases over the winter, and is expected to host the F1 circus sometime in mid-February. Testing resumes in earnest on 1 December, when teams return from the enforced one-month break imposed by the FIA.


Many will use the first couple of session to give new recruits a chance to settle into new surroundings, with Jordan and Ferrari, in particular, keen to get their latest additions up to speed as soon as possible.


The Silverstone team will run former Prost pilot Jarno Trulli from the start of the first Spanish test next month, and will also find time to field rising F3000 star Tomas Enge as a favour to mutual sponsor Pilsner Urquell. Ferrari, meanwhile, is expected to give Rubens Barrichello his first taste of Italian horsepower at the same time, and the Brazilian is already chomping at the bit.


"When I sat at the wheel of last year's car in the factory, it really made me want to switch the engine on and press the accelerator," he smiled, "I've been dreaming of driving a Ferrari since I was a boy."


Expect also for Prost and Sauber to give new faces Nick Heidfeld and Mika Salo an early run in their respective cars, while Ralf Schumacher is scheduled to have his first run in a BMW-powered Williams at around the same time.