Wickens in Straight-Line F1 Action
Wickens, who currently leads the 2011 Formula Renault 3.5 Series, spent the weekend with the team at the Italian Grand Prix before heading to Vairano for Tuesday’s test outing – one of a limited number of straight-line in-season tests permitted to each Grand Prix team.
“It was great to work with the team in this way," said Robert on his first opportunity to drive the MVR-02. “Driving the car is obviously a natural step in my progression and education as a reserve driver with Marussia Virgin Racing. Like all drivers I’m eager for seat time and the work we did today undoubtedly plays an important role for the team in its aerodynamic development program. It was a good day and I was happy to sample the car for myself, albeit in a straight line, having watched Timo (Glock) and Jerome (D’Ambrosio) behind the wheel for the past couple of months!"
The Canadian, backed by Marussia Motors in his Formula Renault 3.5 Series campaign, was named as a Reserve Driver for the Formula One team prior to the Canadian Grand Prix in June.
Since then the Toronto-born racer, runner-up in last season’s GP3 Series, has been in attendance with Marussia Virgin Racing at each Grand Prix alongside the team’s race drivers Timo Glock and Jerome D’Ambrosio.
Robert returns to the race track this weekend, Saturday 17th – Sunday 18th September, with the penultimate round of the 2011 Formula Renault 3.5 Series hosted at the Paul Ricard Circuit in France.