Under Formula Renault 3.5 Series rules the driver leading the championship at the halfway stage of the season is rewarded with an Formula One demo drive in an Infiniti Red Bull Racing car at a World Series by Renault meeting, provided that they are not already under contract with an F1 team.

With the Silverstone Young Driver Test coming just before the WSR meeting at the Red Bull Ring, Renault Sport Technologies and Infiniti Red Bull Racing decided to replace the demonstration with a proper day’s testing with the three-time world champions.

Portuguese driver Antonio Felix da Costa was given the slot by virtue of the fact that the two men ahead of him in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series standings – Stoffel Vandoorne and Kevin Magnussen – are both on the McLaren Young Driver Programme.

Kevin Magnussen will be at the Silverstone test with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, while 2012 Formula Renault 3.5 Series champion Robin Frijns will also be there, taking to the wheel for Sauber.