JR Hildebrand (#25) races at the 2008 Firestone Freedom 100

It’s been more than two seasons since Scott Speed’s departure to NASCAR left the world of Formula One devoid of an American driver. However, ESPN reports that two promising young American drivers are getting a chance to showcase their skills during the Young Driver’s Test currently taking place Jerez, Spain.

Current Firestone Indy Lights champion JR Hildebrand will be splitting time with DTM driver Paul di Resta in a car run by Force India. In addition, 18-year-old American Alexander Rossi will test for the BMW team as part of his reward for winning the 2008 Formula BMW Americas championship.

However, it’s Hildebrand who is considered the more “race-ready” of the two, having competed in Indy Lights, Formula Atlantic and A1 Grand Prix cars. Force India has spots for testing and developmental drivers, as does the newly-formed Team USF1, who surely will be looking to spark interest back home by adding an American driver to the roster.