Daly joins Lotus GP for 2012 GP3 Assault
Daly and Lotus GP worked together for the first time in the winter tests at Jerez de la Frontera, in December 2011, where Daly finished his day with a spot in the top ten. One week earlier, he had the best time in the tests at Valencia, once again confirming the pure speed, which he had displayed during his first year in the GP3 Series. At the most recent test with Lotus GP in Estoril, Portugal, February 21st-22nd, Daly finished fifth fastest on each of the two days. It will be Daly's second season of GP3, the official Formula One support series.
Conor Daly:
"I am very pleased to be with the Lotus GP team in 2012! The team has had an incredible history of success and has certainly been the team to beat in GP3. The goal in the off-season was to try and put myself in the best position to try and win the championship this season and I have no doubt that I've got the best chance to do so with Lotus GP. I was fortunate enough to test with the team for the first time at the end of 2011 and was extremely happy with what I was able to learn. I now look forward to learning more during pre-season testing from the team and my new teammates. I have to thank everyone who made this happen and I can't wait to get the 2012 season rolling!"
Frederic Vasseur:
"Lotus GP closely followed Conor's progress in 2011 because he was one of our competitors in the GP3 Series. His second half of the season was marked by strong progress in his performance and his pure racing speed in particular drew our attention. During the off season and most recent tests in Estoril, we found him to be a charming young driver who is very motivated by his work and his progress in a series, which is ultra competitive. The quality of his work and his margin of progress convinced us that he is the man that Lotus GP needed to round out its 2012 line-up."
The GP3 series will compete at all European rounds of the Formula One World Championship including Monaco for the first time ever. It will run from May until September starting in Barcelona, Spain, May 12th/13th and ending in Monza, Italy, September 8th/9th. Each weekend will feature two races, one on Saturday afternoon after Formula One qualifying and one on Sunday morning.