Wednesday 31 December 2014

Marciello signs for the Sauber F1 Team as 2015 test and reserve driver

(Sauber F1 Team)

The Sauber F1 Team have confirmed that they have signed Raffaele Marciello as their official 2015 test and reserve driver.

Marciello joins the Hinwil based outfit from the Ferrari Driver Academy where the Italian has already had a taste of what it’s like to drive a Formula One car when he made his debut with the team at the season ending Abu Dhabi test session where he drove in place of the injured Jules Bianchi.

Marciello is the latest new signing for the Swiss team after they confirmed an all new driver line up for the 2015 Formula One season.

Marcus Ericsson joins the team after making his Formula One race debut with the Caterham F1 Team in 2014, while Felipe Nasr will make his Formula One race debut with the team in Australia in March having spent time as Williams Martini Racing Team’s test and reserve driver.

While Adrian Sutil is now actively seeking a drive in the World Endurance Championship for 2015 before eyeing a potential Formula One return in 2016 with the Haas F1 Team, Esteban Gutierrez has joined the Scuderia Ferrari stable where Marciello came from.

It is not the first time that the Sauber F1 Team have taken a driver from the Ferrari Driver Academy as Felipe Massa made his Formula One debut with the team in 2004 and more recently, Sergio Perez joined the Sauber F1 Team from the Ferrari Academy in 2011.

Speaking about Marciello’s appointment, Sauber F1 Team Principal Monisha Keltenborn stated:

We are pleased to announce Raffaele Marciello as our test and reserve driver for the 2015 season. He proved his great talent in junior formulas, and his season in the European Formula 3 Championship with 13 wins and the title victory was particularly impressive. We will give Raffaele the opportunity to become familiar with Formula One, which also includes him taking part in some free practice sessions on Friday. It’s great for our team to be part of his way to Formula One.

Marciello commented by saying:

I am really pleased to become a member of the Sauber F1 Team,which has a long tradition of building up excellent drivers.  I really think that this is the best choice for my future career. I am also happy to compete for one more season in the GP2 Series, which, together with my new F1 role, will give me a very busy 2015 season. I want to thank the Ferrari Driver Academy for giving me this important opportunity, and now I really can’t wait to start delivering my best.'

© Ben Johnston 2014


No comments:

Post a Comment