F1: Hamilton and Rosberg to test 2017 tires

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg will make their first appearance in the 2017 Pirelli Formula 1 tire tests when they drive the Mercedes mule car next week.

Pirelli has made it clear from the start of its testing program that it wants to test with current race drivers as it continues to develop next year's wider tires. Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull are working with Pirelli to complete the testing, but so far only Ferrari has used its race drivers, Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel.

Pascal Wehrlein has done the running in both Mercedes tests while former Toro Rosso driver Sebastien Buemi was in the Red Bull. But at next week's two-day test at Barcelona, which focuses on slick tire running, Hamilton will drive on Wednesday and Rosberg on Thursday.

Red Bull will continue the testing on Friday through to Sunday in Abu Dhabi, but the team has yet to confirm who will be in the car.

Originally on Autosport.com