Davide Valsecchi is the first champion in GP2 history who risks never sitting on a formula one grid. Since the sport's feeder series began in 2005, every champion - Nico Rosberg, Lewis Hamilton, Timo Glock, Nico Hulkenberg, Pastor Maldonado and Romain Grosjean - has recorded his place in F1 history. Even Giorgio Pantano, the 2008 champion who didn't carry the crown into F1, had already tasted formula one racing, by spending most of the 2004 season with Jordan.
Fellow Italian Valsecchi, 26, is the new reigning GP2 champion, but he will have to be content with the role of 'third driver' at Lotus this year. Some media reports suggest, however, that Valsecchi will be given the chance to race in 2012 if regular drivers Kimi Raikkonen or Grosjean are unable. "I hope that this is a really good start to a career in formula one," Valsecchi said in an interview published by Lotus' official website. "I've been with the team at the first test in Jerez already and it's been great to get involved and into the way that they work on track."
Asked if he thinks his new role will lead to a full seat, he answered: "I very much hope so, and that step by step I will eventually become a full time competitive formula one driver. I will continue to do my best whenever the team needs me for something, and whenever I have the chance I will try to show all my best qualities. If I do the best job I can this year then it will open up my chances for the future, and we'll see then if I'm good enough." (GMM)
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Valsecchi hopes Lotus reserve role leads to fulltime race seat
- Published on 18 Feb 2013 09:54
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- By: Rob Veenstra
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Driver profile
- Team -
- Points -
- Podiums -
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- Country FR
- Date of b. Apr 17 1986 (39)
- Place of b. Geneve, FR
- Weight 71 kg
- Length 1.8 m
3 members have this team as their favourite
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Team profile
- Team name Lotus F1
- Base Enstone, United Kingdom
- Daniel Ricciardo 3
- Kimi Räikkönen 7
- Romain Grosjean 8
- Kimi Räikkönen 9
- Romain Grosjean 10
- Pastor Maldonado 13
- Pastor Maldonado 13
- Kevin Magnussen 20
- Nico Hülkenberg 27
- Jolyon Palmer 30
- Esteban Ocon 31
- Carlos Sainz jr 55
- 65,124 comments on Lotus F1
- 16 members have this team as their favourite
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