F3 champ Juncadella to be Mercedes tester
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| Daniel Juncadella |
(GMM) This rumor is downgraded to 'speculation' today. Daniel Juncadella, who has been signed up by Mercedes for the DTM season in 2013, has played down reports he is set to also become the German marque's F1 reserve driver.
Spanish and German media sources said last week that the reigning European F3 champion – a 21-year-old Spaniard – looked set to combine his new DTM role with a role as third driver for Mercedes' Brackley based team.
Juncadella admitted to Spain's AS newspaper that he heard the very same rumors.
But he said: "You have to remember that I have never sat in the (2013 Mercedes) car and so far have done only one formula one test for Ferrari.
"So now I can replace Hamilton in an emergency?" he asked rhetorically.
Juncadella confirmed, however, that his management is in talks with Mercedes about a F1 role.
"I can imagine combining DTM with some tasks in the formula one team, perhaps as a development driver, but not the third driver," he insisted.
"This would help me a lot," he added.
02/19/13 (GMM) Daniel Juncadella is set to become a development driver with Mercedes' F1 team, according to Spanish and German media sources.
Spain's El Mundo said the news about the 21-year-old has come "direct from Stuttgart", and "should be announced this week" from either the F1 or DTM tests.
The reports said the new Euro F3 champion looks set to become a F1 development driver in 2013, working in the simulator at Brackley, whilst also moving into the German touring car series DTM with Mercedes.