Alguersuari and di Grassi with Pirelli
Pirelli announced that Jaime Alguersuari and Lucas di Grassi would be its two official test drivers for the 2012 season.
Pirelli officially announced today the names of the two drivers who will conduct the tire tests scheduled during the 2012 season. They are Lucas di Grassi, who has been collaborating with the Italian brand since his removal from the Virgin team at the end of 2010, and Jaime Alguersuari, who was not retained by Toro Rosso at the end of the 2011 season.
The Spaniard Jaime Alguersuari, alongside the Brazilian Lucas di Grassi, will be the two test drivers (for Pirelli) during the 2012 season. The two men will be able to drive Pirelli’s latest test single-seater – a 2010 Renault R30 – during four test sessions this year, at Jerez, Spa, Monza, and Barcelona, Pirelli states on its Facebook page.
The two men were already frequently mentioned as candidates, and this official announcement confirms the rumors. It’s a great opportunity for Jaime Alguersuari to stay connected to the world of F1 – even though he has been hired as a commentator by a British radio station. He will be able to continue driving an F1 car, which could open doors for a possible return in 2013.
Alguersuari and di Grassi will therefore have the heavy task of testing and developing the tires that will be used by their peers for the 2013 season on circuits they know: Jerez, Spa-Francorchamps, Monza, and Barcelona.
The tests will aim to define the 2013 range of Pirelli tires, which will include new compounds and new structures, as well as compound developments that could be used later in the season, Pirelli states.
