Brendon Hartley got a head start for the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series race at Circuit of The Americas.

A test and simulator driver for Mercedes AMG in Formula One, Hartley logged more laps at the new facility in Austin, Texas than anyone else in the field for Saturday's race.

Hartley spent part of 2012 preparing simulator data for the Mercedes AMG team and drivers Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg for the inaugural United States Grand Prix. This season, he'll do the same for Rosberg and 2008 World Champion Lewis Hamilton.

Hartley will make his second Rolex Series start this weekend for Starworks Motorsport.