Caterham Team AirAsia to test three drivers for GP2 in Barcelona
The team’s existing links with Team Lotus Third Driver Luiz Razia will continue when the Brazilian ace returns to the car for day one alongside Alexander Rossi who will complete two full days of testing. The young American, who has just returned from Barcelona after finishing third in the Drivers' Championship in the 2011 World Series by Renault – FR 3.5 series, impressed the team in Jerez last month after adapting well to the new GP2 car in his first outing in GP2. Joining him on the second and final day of testing will be Barcelona based Venezuelan driver Rodolfo Gonzalez, who drove for Trident in this season’s GP2 championship.
Team Principal Riad Asmat “We are very proud to maintain and nurture the relationships we have with these young drivers. We have all come a long way this year and our aim has always been to encourage and help develop both their racing skills and our team’s potential to win races and challenge for titles. We had a positive test in Jerez last month and I am confident the drivers we have in the car next week will do a sterling job before we move onto Abu Dhabi for the final GP2 race of the year. "
Team Manager Phill Spencer “We are very happy and confident with our driver line-up for the test in Barcelona. We have several things we want to run through and a busy program to complete but as always it would be great to top the time sheets at the end of each day! It is very good that we maintain the continuity with both Alexander and Luiz and welcome Rodolfo to the team for his outing – he already has links with us since he tested with our F1 counterparts last year at the Abu Dhabi young driver test. We are in discussions with several drivers for the race seats for Abu Dhabi too, so everything is looking very positive and we are keen to get out on the track again before the year comes to a close."
Luiz Razia “I am really looking forward to working with the team again next week in Barcelona. I have recently been away in Japan and Korea with Team Lotus which has been fantastic! We have all formed a very close working relationship together over the last ten months so it will be great to pick up where we left off and get back in the car."
Alexander Rossi “I have just come back from racing in Barcelona with World Series but can’t wait to get back out on track. I really like the Circuit de Catalunya and it’s all fresh in my mind so I feel good about the two days in the car. Carrying over what we leant in the Jerez test, I had to work hard on adapting to the new car and tires, but now I have a clear idea of what I have to do to maximize my performance on track so I think it’s going to be very positive and hopefully we can just pick up where we left off."
Rodolfo Gonzalez “It will be great to work with the Caterham Team AirAsia guys, they had a solid season in GP2 this year and have strong connections with Formula One through Team Lotus who I tested with last year. I live in Barcelona so it is my home circuit now – I love the track, there’s a lot of high speed and low speed corners so it’s quite demanding, but I will work hard and make the most of this opportunity. "