Ferrari sign Vettel up for chaotic Japanese GP schedule

Sebastian Vettel will face a chaotic period before the Japanese Grand Prix, having been selected by Ferrari to take part in a Pirelli tyre test in the week of the race.

Pirelli requested an extra test in order to finalise plans for 2020, with Ferrari, Mercedes and Red bull all agreeing to take part in the event at the Circuit de Catalunya on October 7 and 8 – the Monday and Tuesday of race week in Suzuka.

While Mercedes' third driver Esteban Ocon and Red Bull development talent Jake Dennis will take part, Ferrari's most experienced driver will be on the ground in Spain.

With the coming weekend free of F1 activities, most other drivers will be able to travel to Japan at their leisure, but Vettel's schedule will be more demanding.

"We've asked so many times different things of Pirelli, it was only our duty to do these tests when they ask us to go and test these latest evolutions," Ferrari sporting director Laurent Mekies said in Sochi.

"Yes, logistically it is complicated. Sebastian will drive there and at the very end of the test he will fly to Japan.

"We felt it was our duty towards everything we're asking of Pirelli to support [them]."

Ferrari have secured four pole positions and three victories from the last four races, although Vettel has only been responsible for the race win in Singapore.

He is a four-time winner at Suzuka from his Red Bull tenure, but Mercedes have won every race in Japan in the V6 Hybrid era.

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