The Caterham F1 Team has confirmed that its reserve driver Alexander Rossi will drive in two first practice sessions this season.
The 22-year-old will get his first taste of 2014 Formula 1 machinery at the Canadian and United States Grands Prix.
Rossi, who is the only American to currently hold an F1 superlicense, is competing in the GP2 series this year with Caterham Racing.
His season got off to a difficult start at the opening round in Bahrain. He finished the feature race in 22nd after suffering high tyre degradation, before a puncture dropped him to 25th in the sprint race.
He joined Caterham as a test and reserve driver in 2012 and has retained the role for this year. Rossi has already completed several first practice runs and test days for the Leafield-based outfit, as well as being heavily involved in its simulator testing work in 2014.
However, his two practice outings in Montreal and Austin will be his first time driving this year's Formula 1 machinery.
"Each time I step into F1 machinery there is an important job to do," he said on the announcement. "Montreal and Austin are important races for me and I want to thank Caterham for the opportunity to continue my development to a full time race seat in F1.
"My GP2 program combined with my F1 team Reserve Driver duties give me invaluable insight and experience for my future. I’ve built up a lot of hours in the F1 simulator already this year, but Montreal will be my first visit behind the wheel of the CT05 on track. I look forward to a positive runplan for both the Canadian and USA sessions."
Team principal Cyril Abiteboul added: "Alexander will be continuing his development with two more FP1 sessions for us in Canada and the USA.
"While his focus this year is firmly on GP2 we are pleased to give him more opportunities to play an active role in the F1 team’s race weekends and to have him help us develop our car at two races that are very important for us, both in terms of our season overall and with the strong support we have commercially in the North American continent."
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| © Octane Photographic |
Rossi, who is the only American to currently hold an F1 superlicense, is competing in the GP2 series this year with Caterham Racing.
His season got off to a difficult start at the opening round in Bahrain. He finished the feature race in 22nd after suffering high tyre degradation, before a puncture dropped him to 25th in the sprint race.
He joined Caterham as a test and reserve driver in 2012 and has retained the role for this year. Rossi has already completed several first practice runs and test days for the Leafield-based outfit, as well as being heavily involved in its simulator testing work in 2014.
However, his two practice outings in Montreal and Austin will be his first time driving this year's Formula 1 machinery.
"Each time I step into F1 machinery there is an important job to do," he said on the announcement. "Montreal and Austin are important races for me and I want to thank Caterham for the opportunity to continue my development to a full time race seat in F1.
"My GP2 program combined with my F1 team Reserve Driver duties give me invaluable insight and experience for my future. I’ve built up a lot of hours in the F1 simulator already this year, but Montreal will be my first visit behind the wheel of the CT05 on track. I look forward to a positive runplan for both the Canadian and USA sessions."
Team principal Cyril Abiteboul added: "Alexander will be continuing his development with two more FP1 sessions for us in Canada and the USA.
"While his focus this year is firmly on GP2 we are pleased to give him more opportunities to play an active role in the F1 team’s race weekends and to have him help us develop our car at two races that are very important for us, both in terms of our season overall and with the strong support we have commercially in the North American continent."
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