Caterham confirms Alexander Rossi as test driver

After securing the services of Giedo van der Garde as a reserve driver, the Caterham team officially announces today Alexander Rossi as the test driver, which should allow the barely 20-year-old American driver to discover the backstage of a Formula One team and participate, during the season, in one or more free practice sessions on Friday mornings. “Today’s announcement marks an important step for the Caterham F1 Team and for Alexander’s career,” said Tony Fernandes in the team’s official statement. “As an official Caterham driver, Alexander is a key element of our long-term plans, and the investment we are making in him will help him make the most of his natural talent. We believe 2012 is an important year for Alexander as he will conduct a full program in the World Series by Renault, a championship he has a good chance of winning, alongside his role as a test driver which will give him the chance to take part in Friday morning free practice sessions, laying a foundation for him to achieve an even greater role in Formula One.”

Last November, the American participated, on behalf of Team Lotus, in the young drivers’ test in Abu Dhabi and is naturally happy to continue his journey with the Malaysian team that is now known as Caterham: « I am absolutely thrilled to be able to make this dual announcement today. I am getting closer to my number one goal, which is to drive in Formula One, after signing as a test driver for the Caterham F1 Team. I want to thank Tony Fernandes, Kamarudin Meranun [editor’s note: the team’s deputy manager] and Riad Asmat [editor’s note: the executive director of Caterham] for their confidence in me and their long-term commitment to my career. Last year, I spent time at the factory in Hingham [editor’s note: Caterham’s headquarters] and built strong relationships throughout the team. I feel really comfortable with everyone and look forward to growing as a professional driver alongside Caterham and gaining as much experience as possible during the Friday free practice sessions, in the simulator, and through the time I will spend with the team. »

Winner of the BMW Americas Championship and BMW World Finals in 2008, the Auburn native had thus benefited from a first test with one of the German team’s single-seaters before pursuing his career in International Formula Master and the GP2 Series Asia Championship 2009/2010. Considered to become the reserve driver for the US F1 team before they closed their doors a few weeks before the 2010 season began, Rossi participated in the GP3 championship, which he finished in fourth place, with two wins and as many pole positions to his name, before fully committing to the World Series by Renault in 2011 with the Fortec team, with which he claimed two victories and finished in third place, behind Robert Wickens and Jean-Eric Vergne. In 2012, he is naturally considered to succeed Robert Wickens for the Arden Caterham Team while continuing his F1 activities: “I am absolutely ready for the task ahead. I haven’t been in an F1 car since the young driver tests in Abu Dhabi last November, but I’ve spent time in the simulator. I’m really looking forward to the World Series by Renault tests starting next week, resuming work with the Arden Caterham Team, which will carry Caterham’s classic colors. The 2011 season was good, but now I have more experience and am determined to fight for the title in 2012. It’s going to be an incredible year!”

She will be even more so if the Malaysian team offers her the opportunity to participate in the practice sessions of the United States Grand Prix, which will return to the calendar next November.