Ralf Schumacher, the current leader of the Formula Nippon championship and brother of World Champion Michael, will test a McLaren Mercedes this week at Silverstone. The tests are scheduled to take place on Thursday, weather permitting.

Ralf Schumacher will start off in a F3000 car to familarise himself with the circuit, and then move to a McLaren Mercedes MP4/11. Ron Dennis said "Ralf Schumacher's test will represent the first opportunity for both the team and Ralf to work together with a view to forming a relationship for the future."

Jan Magnussem, the 1994 British F3 Champion and McLaren test driver, has been drafted into the Penske-Mercedes IndyCar to team to replace Paul Tracy and Emerson Fittipaldi who both suffered injuries at the last IndyCar race. Magnussen was currently driving for Mercedes in ITC.

McLaren and AMG have both released Magnussen so he can race in the final 4 rounds of the IndyCar series.