Lotus F1 Junior Team driver Alex Fontana will get a first taste of Formula 1 thanks to the Lotus F1 Team iRace programme, when he takes to the track in the team’s 2010 World Championship challenger – the R30 – at the Circuit Paul Ricard in Southern France on September 30.
Alex – who is contesting the GP3 Series this season – will enjoy a day at the Formula 1 test facility with Lotus F1 Team engineers on hand to guide him through the experience, which is a vital step in his development as a driver with the aspiration of making it to Formula 1 as a race driver in the future.
Patrick Louis, Chief Executive Officer, Lotus F1 Team:
"Alex has shown great potential as part of our Lotus F1 Junior Team programme, so it is fantastic to reward him with a drive as part of our iRace Professional programme. His day at Paul Ricard will see him working closely with our engineers to maximize his learning experience on his first day in a Formula 1 car. For Lotus F1 Team it is rewarding to work with young drivers with the goal of helping them achieve their aims and assisting us in finding the champions of the future."
Alex Fontana:
“I’m naturally delighted that Lotus F1 Team has given me the opportunity of this test. Every driver’s dream is to sit behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car. For me it’s a great honour to be able to undertake a day’s testing at Paul Ricard. I’ve been to Enstone on a number of occasions to prepare myself to best effect with intensive work on the simulator, and I’ll be tackling this test with great respect for the team, the car and with a healthy dose of humility. I’ll be giving it my best shot, to grasp the opportunity and to live up to the expectations. I’m also sure that an opportunity such as this will make a significant contribution to my experience as a driver. For this reason I’d once again like to thank the management team at Lotus F1 Team and all the people who have supported me and taken a keen interest in my progress."