(Sahara Force India Formula One Team)
GP2 champion Joylon Palmer has revealed that taking up a Formula One test driver role with the Sahara Force India Formula One team for the 2015 season is an 'option' after conducting the opening day of the Abu Dhabi end of season Formula One test for the Silverstone based outfit on Tuesday.
Despite a problem in the morning with the Mercedes power unit in his VJM07, Palmer ended his day of running with Sahara Force India in 4th place having completed 37 laps and a fastest lap time of the Yas Marina circuit of a 1m 44.516s. Palmer, who won the 2014 GP2 championship with Dams is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Scotland's Paul Di Resta and become a test driver for Force India if a position is available.
Palmer knows the Silverstone based outfit have helped a number of drivers break into Formula One by giving them drives in Free Practice sessions and then promoting them to race seats just like they did with Paul Di Resta.
Sahara Force India already have Spaniard Daniel Juncadella as part of the test programme but they could do what the Williams Martini Racing team did with both Felipe Nasr and Susie Wolff as they ran both drivers during free practice sessions on alternate Grand Prix weekends. Palmer was one of three British drivers to have made their Formula One debut over the last week.
The Caterham F1 Team, on their return to Formula One for the season finale in Abu Dhabi last weekend after missing the United States and Brazilian Grand Prix ran Will Stevens in one of their cars while he also drove for the Leafied based outfit during the end of season test at the Yas Marina circuit.
The Lotus F1 Team also ran a British driver, GP3 champion Alex Lynn who is also hopeful of gaining a Formula One test role in his case with the Lotus F1 Team.
© Ben Johnston 2014
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