Renault third driver Di Grassi to test for Honda 07 Nov 2008
Lucas Di Grassi has been invited to test for Honda at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya later this month. Di Grassi, Renault’s third driver for the 2008 season, will spend three days with the Japanese team from November 17.
"I am very excited to have the opportunity of testing with the Honda Racing F1 Team in Barcelona and look forward to proving myself to the team,” said the Brazilian. “I would like to say thank you to the ING Renault F1 Team for all their support and for allowing me this opportunity to help further my career.
“The next two weeks will be a very important stage in my development and I will be spending a lot of time at the Honda Racing F1 Team's factory before the test to speak with the engineers and learn as much as possible in advance of the test."
Di Grassi has been part of Renault’s driver development programme since 2004 and has three seasons of GP2 experience under his belt. He took second in the 2007 series and this year finished third, despite missing the first three rounds.
"We are delighted to provide Lucas with a test with the Honda Racing F1 Team later this month,” said team principal Ross Brawn. "This is a very well-deserved opportunity for Lucas to prove his potential after such an impressive performance in GP2 this season and during his testing responsibilities with the ING Renault F1 Team. We look forward to seeing Lucas in action and will take a keen interest in how he performs."
Di Grassi will run a part-day familiarisation programme, before stepping into the cockpit of the RA108 for a full day of testing. Honda have already announced plans to test another Brazilian GP2 star, Bruno Senna, at the same session. The UK-based team, who fielded Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello this season, are yet to confirm their 2009 driver line-up.
