Toyota have confirmed Kohei Hirate and Kamui Kobayashi will both test for them next season.

The Japanese pair will be testing alongside Franck Montagny and race drivers Ralf Schumacher and Jarno Trulli this season as the team aim to improve on their sixth place in the 2006 constructors championship.

Kobayashi, who came eighth in the Formula Three Euroseries this year, said “As a member of the Toyota family, I would like to take the opportunity that has been given to me as an F1 test driver. I hope that I can contribute to creating outstanding racecars and support the team.”

Kobayashi and Hirate, both 20, are also set to announce deals to race in the F3 Euroseries and the GP2 Series this season respectively.

Meanwhile, Ferrari have confirmed that Marc Gene will be staying with the team next year although with the testing restrictions which are coming into play, there might not be much for him to do. Luca Badoer will remain as Ferrari’s main test driver. Gene will probably conduct testing whilst Badoer is away travelling.

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