From rivals to team-mates - Ball links up with Pope

While the partnership is in its relative infancy, Ball says there have been some nerves as they ready themselves for action.

"I think he [Pope] was quite nervous at the start as well and obviously he wanted to prove that he was good enough sort of thing," Ball said.

"But if you're on the programme, you're good enough. Training's been good and it's completely different with every pilot, the way they approach training and how we gel together.

"It doesn't take me very long to realise if it's working or not so it's really good to see. I feel like I'm teaching him some things even though he's way better than me power-wise, but it's nice to show some of my experience to him."