Di Grassi could become Pirelli tester

UPDATE (GMM) Luca di Grassi has dismissed reports linking him with a test driver role at Pirelli this year as "speculation".

But the Brazilian, who lost his Virgin race seat after just a single season in F1, admitted he might be interested in the tire testing role.

Reports said di Grassi, 26, could be set to replace Pirelli's secondary tester Romain Grosjean, who is returning to GP2 full-time in 2011.

"The news about Pirelli test driver role are just speculation at this stage but sure it would be interesting to understand the tire better," di Grassi wrote on Twitter on Wednesday.

01/26/11 (GMM) Lucas di Grassi could become a test driver with the sport's new official tire supplier Pirelli in 2011.

After just a single season on the grid, the Brazilian has lost his Virgin drive for 2011 to the better-funded Belgian Jerome d'Ambrosio.

Finland's Turun Sanomat is reporting that di Grassi, 26, has been linked with Pirelli's ongoing private track testing program for 2011.

Main Pirelli tire tester Pedro de la Rosa's contract runs out in a few days, but it is expected that the Spaniard will continue to head the marque's development this year.

Di Grassi, meanwhile, could be set to replace de la Rosa's driving deputy Romain Grosjean.

Grosjean has been signed to return to the GP2 grid in 2010 with the DAMS team.

Given DAMS' close links with Renault, and the fact that Grosjean is expected to join Renault in 2011 as third driver, a parallel role at Pirelli for the Frenchman is unlikely on the grounds of partiality.

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