FORCE INDIA TO JEREZ FOR SECOND WINTER TEST
The Force India F1 Team will be back in action at the Circuit
de Jerez, southern Spain, for the second test of its winter
development programme. Over the four day test from 4 - 7 December,
the team will again run two former Spyker B-spec F8-VII cars
in its interim livery of burgundy and white.
As part of its ongoing programme, Giancarlo Fisichella, Franck
Montagny and Ralf Schumacher will join the team for a full
day's testing. Following their outstanding performance and
feedback at the team's previous test in Barcelona, Christian
Klien and Vitantonio Liuzzi will also participate for one
day. Roldan Rodriguez and Giedo van der Garde will finish
the test for the team as part of their development programme.
Vitantonio Liuzzi commented, 'I was pleased with how Barcelona
went and I am happy to be invited back to participate in another
test with the team. Everyone is very professional, there's
a good atmosphere and I think a lot of potential. For the
moment I will concentrate on doing my best in this next test,
but it feels good so far - we will see how Jerez goes.'
Christian Klien added, 'I am looking forward to another test
with the team in Jerez and to continuing the good work we
started in Barcelona. Everyone in the team is very focussed
and determined to be even more competitive in 2008, so I am
happy to be part of the current evaluation programme. I will
be concentrating on helping them to get the most out of the
car and again working well with the engineers.'
Thirty-four year-old Giancarlo Fisichella is one of the most
experienced drivers on the F1 grid. He made his debut in 1996
with the Minardi team before moving to Force India's predecessors
Jordan in 1997. In his long career, which has also spanned
stints at Benetton, Sauber and Renault, Giancarlo has scored
three race victories. The Italian said, 'Whilst no drivers
have been officially confirmed by Renault, the team has given
me permission to explore other options. I was invited to test
with Force India F1 Team at Jerez and I was very happy to
accept it.'
Ralf Schumacher, 32, started his Formula 1 career back in
1997 with Jordan. He has since raced for Williams and most
latterly Toyota. He has picked up a haul of 27 podiums and
six victories. 'I have known Vijay for many years over my
time with Toyota. I fully understand his passion for the sport
and know that he will put this drive into Force India to make
it a success. For any driver, driving for a young dynamic
team with high ambitions is a good opportunity, but at the
moment it is just one test to see how we get on working together,
and whether this is possible. I think I can help the team
with its development programme but we will see.'
Franck Montagny made his F1 race debut last year with Super
Aguri, however has a wealth of F1 experience thanks to his
testing roles at Renault, at which he spent three years, and
at Toyota where he was the team's test and reserve driver
this season. He has also competed in the Le Mans 24 Hours.
The Frenchman commented, 'I was in contact with Vijay Mallya
from my time at Toyota. Towards the end of the year we talked
about the future and I heard about the possibility of testing
with Force India. Of course I was very tempted as I am sure
that with the new owners, the team will be very strong.'
Fisichella and Montagny will open the test on Tuesday 4 December.
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