Valsecchi sees 2013 as a transition year with Lotus

Davide Valsecchi has been named the third driver for the Lotus F1 team this year. The Italian driver had his first taste of driving a Formula 1 car during the young driver tests held in Abu Dhabi last year, following his title win in the GP2 Series with the French team DAMS.

Valsecchi expressed his delight with his debut with the Enstone team in an interview published on the team’s website: « I hope this is a very good start to begin a career in Formula 1. I was with the team during the first tests in Jerez and it was nice to be involved and see the way they work on the track. »

The Italian driver hopes that 2013 will only be a transitional year before securing a full-time seat for 2014: « I really hope [that this role will be just a step], and that slowly I will become a full-time Formula 1 driver. I have a great opportunity with the Lotus F1 team – I will continue to do my best when the team needs me, and as soon as I get the chance, I will try to show the full extent of my abilities. »

He also believes that this first step in F1 can only be positive for the continuation of his career if he demonstrates the same qualities as in GP2: « I see this role as a new step; last year, I won the GP2 championship, so the next goal is to be in Formula 1, and I’m getting closer. If I do my best this year, it will open up prospects for my future, and then we’ll see if I’m good enough. »

If it is legitimate for Valsecchi to hope to use this role as a third driver as a stepping stone to a regular seat, things will not be that simple, as evidenced by his teammate Jérôme d’Ambrosio, who, after a year with Virgin in 2011, joined Lotus in the same role and with the same unrealized hope (except for the 2012 Italian Grand Prix where he replaced Romain Grosjean who was suspended) since the Belgian continues with the Enstone team in 2013 as a reserve driver.