Bruno Senna takes the reserve driver role with Lotus Renault GP
Finally, Bruno Senna has been informed of his role for the 2011 Formula One season. After spending months of complete uncertainty about his future in Formula One, a contract was publicised between the driver and Team Lotus Renault GP on Monday morning. According to the contract, Senna will be seen under the team umbrella for the upcoming season but only as the third driver.
The Brazilian entered the sport’s grid for the first time last year with Team HRT. The struggling team was not able to help the driver perform well, owing to immense financial and management problems. Consequently, as the season ended, Senna stood amongst the bottom racers without even a single point in their kitty.
Since Bruno is the nephew of the greatest racer ever in the series, Ayrton Senna, the fanfare and hype surrounding the driver at his debut season was naturally immense. However, Senna was unable to live up to his uncle’s name as he ended his debut season without any points, and was unable to secure a driver’s seat for next season. Senna has recently completed a new award-winning documentary on his uncle, and it is believed that the documentary would shed some limelight on the Brazilian driver, which he failed to gain through his driving feats in Formula 1.
As Team Renault launched its 2011 package today (Monday) morning, at Valencia's pit, the driver was seen with the team after having signed the contract recently. Renault has unveiled its car, R31, with its legendary black and gold livery. The same combination was used by Brunno’s uncle, and is the most celebrated car livery ever in Formula 1.
While talking to the media this morning, the 27-year-old driver stated, “It's a great leap of faith from them to give me this shot, so I'm very happy." He will be accompanying the other test driver of the team, Romain Grosjean who was also seen wearing the new black overalls of the team at the launching ceremony.
Besides the two drivers, the other reserve drivers of Renault were also present at the promotional event of the car including, Fairuz Fauzy, Jan Charouz and Ho-Ping Tung. The team’s main driver for the upcoming season will be Vitaly Petrov and Robert Kubica. Both the drivers were drove for the same team last year as well.
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