BREAKING NEWS - Alex Fontana will be taking part in the collective tests for the World Series by Renault. The Lugano-born driver, a member of the Lotus Formula 1 Junior program, has recorded two podium finishes in the last three GP3 races, results that have evidently encouraged the English team to promote him by bringing him in to a collective test day at Jerez on Tuesday 21 October. Now in his second year under the wing of the Lotus Formula 1 team, Fontana has been called up to the World Series. The car, again a Dallara, performs a much higher level than the GP3 version thanks to the 530 hp of the Zytek-prepared engine and a complex aerodynamic package, while features such as DRS bring it close to Formula 1. The World Series is the category that has acted as a launching pad to F1 for drivers of the calibre of Robert Kubica, Daniel Ricciardo, Jean Eric Vergne and Kevin Manussen.
Alex Fontana
“A driver’s life is frequently crammed with incredibly intense emotions and sentiments. In just a few days I’ve swung from the euphoria of the podium finish in Russia to the frustration and anger at the crash in which I was involved at the start of Race 2 and which has left me with a few too many bumps and bruises. Now comes the call for the World Series test session with Team Lotus WSR which fills me with joy. It’s another incredibly important step forwards. I got a taste of this type of car three years ago as a prize for having won the European F3 Open title, although the Formula Renault 3500 is now much faster with performance in line with GP2. I know the Jerez track very well. The technical context and the very powerful car are instead both new to me. Nonetheless, I’m sure we’ll do very well, I’ve no doubts. As usual I’ll be giving it everything. The World Series was my objective right from the start of the season. It’s an opportunity for me I don’t want miss out on, in part to repay in the best way possible the faith the Lotus F1 Junior Team has shown in me."
Further information on www.worldseriesbyrenault.com