Caterham Team AirAsia To Test Four Drivers in Jerez GP2 Test
This week in Jerez four drivers will share the wheel of the Caterham Team AirAsia cars – Portuguese GP3 driver Antonio Felix da Costa, managed by Tiago Monteiro and former F1 rookie driver Yelmer Buurman will test on day one. Alexander Rossi, lead driver in the AirAsia Team Lotus Driver Development Program and Team Lotus test driver Ricardo Teixeira will be driving on day two.
Riad Asmat, Team Principal: “Caterham Team AirAsia has come a very long way in its very short life but today’s announcement is exactly what we are here to do. We want to reward young talent with the chance to develop their skills and the drivers we have taking part in this test are all here on merit. We will make them work – they will be put under the same pressure our race drivers are, and that is the best way for them to learn, so we give them the chance to shine, and I am sure they will repay our faith in them by performing to the best of their abilities."
Team Manager Phill Spencer: “We are really looking forward to giving all four drivers a decent run in the cars. We have a very busy program lined up for them at the test in Jerez and we will be pushing them hard to see how they respond, in and out of the cars. All four of the drivers testing with us this week have shown great potential and it will be good to see not only how they perform, but also how they can help us set ourselves up for the Abu Dhabi race, and for next year."
Antonio Felix da Costa: “I am very excited to be testing with Caterham Team AirAsia. They achieved some really solid results in their debut season and have a strong connection with Formula One through Team Lotus. It will be the first time I drive the new generation GP2 car but I am confident and will work hard to make the most of this great opportunity."
Yelmer Buurman: "I am very eager to drive in the GP2 Series car again and I am grateful to Caterham Team AirAsia for providing me with this chance. My objective is to perform in a consistent and productive manner and show I am quick enough to achieve the maximum results for me and the team. The GP2 Series remains the best route to Formula One and it would be an excellent opportunity for me to continue to race in the series by achieve the goals I have set myself."
Ricardo Teixeira: “It will be great to get back into a GP2 car, particularly with my friends in Caterham Team AirAsia. We have been working together with Team Lotus since the beginning of the year, so it already feels like a big family! I will go out there and give 100% so we can learn as much as possible from the test, as well as enjoying it. I am really looking forward to it and hopefully I can make the most of this fantastic opportunity and continue the association with the team. "
Alexander Rossi: “I would like to thank Tony, Kamarudin, SM Nasarudin and Riad Asmat for giving me this opportunity with Caterham Team AirAsia. I am very excited about working with a team who I have seen progress throughout the 2011 GP2 season from literally nothing to a race winning squad who mirror the professionalism, passion and commitment their colleagues in Team Lotus bring to work every day, and I will do my best to absorb as much as I can and repay the faith the Team Lotus shareholders have show in me by doing the best job I possible can over the four days on track."