GP2 drivers David Valsecchi, Luiz Razia to test Lotus T128 in Barcelona – Formula 1 news
GP2 drivers David Valsecchi and Luiz Razia have been confirmed for their first Formula 1 test with Team Lotus in Barcelona.
The duo will share the Lotus T128 car at the final pre-season test on March 8, 2011.
Lotus have appointed both GP2 series drivers for the final testing session and it is expected the team confirmed one of them for the 2011 season races.
David Valsecchi is an Italian racing driver. He started his career in Renault-based series where he drove from 2003 to 2007 and won one race in the categories during this period. In 2008, he competed in both the GP2 series and GP2 Asia Series. However, Valsecchi
won the sprint race during the year that was his first GP2 victory. Moreover, he joined iSport International GP2 Asia Series season from 2009 to 2010 and by taking three wins and two second places in the first five races of the season, he won the Asian title.
As Valsecchi tested a Formula 1 car for the first time at the season-ending test in Abu Dhabi with Hispania Racing Team, he set a best time of 1 minute and 43.013 seconds. As a result, Lotus confirmed him as a reserve driver of the team for the 2011 season.
Other than Valsecchi, Luiz Razia was also a GP2 Series driver but he started his career as a single seater driver in 2005. The Brazilian drove for South American Formula 3 and he remained with it until 2006. He joined the GP2 series from 2007 to 2010. During
the 2010 season, he drove with the new Virgin Racing Team as a test driver. Moreover, Lotus also confirmed him as a reserve driver of the team for the 2011 season.
Because both drivers already have F1 testing experience, Lotus said, “Valsecchi and Razia could get some mileage in Friday practice sessions at grand’s prix later this year if they impress sufficiently in GP2.”
Other than both GP2 drivers, Lotus has also given a chance to Formula 2 driver Ricardo Teixeira during the winter testing.
The testing performance of Lotus was disappointed to some extent. Both Lotus drivers Heikki Kovalainen and Jarno Trulli took part in the testing sessions and tried their best to do well.
Talking to the media, Jarno said after the day one of the Jerez test, “I think there is still a lot more to come from the car so I'm very positive and looking forward to getting back to work tomorrow.”
On day one of the final winter test, Valsecchi and Razia will hand over their car to race driver Jarno Trulli at lunchtime. It will be interesting to see how GP2 drivers will perform in their first Formula 1 outing in Barcelona.
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