Canadian Latifi to drive Force India VJM11 F1 car in Barcelona
Toronto native Nicholas Latifi will get his first taste of the Mercedes-powered Force India VJM11 at the circuit of Barcelona after the Spanish Grand Prix.
Nicholas Latifi, DAMS
FIA Formula 2
The Indian team will participate in a two-day test, May 15 and 16 at Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona. Alongside the team’s normal testing duties, a second VJM11 will be run at the test in support of Pirelli’s 2018 tire testing programme and Latifi will bet behind the wheel of this car on the Wednesday.
The test is the first opportunity for the FIA Formula 2 driver to work with the team trackside ahead of his Friday free practice programme, which begins at next month’s Canadian Grand Prix at Montréal’s Gilles Villeneuve circuit.
“I am really looking forward to getting my on-track life at Force India started. I was very disappointed having to miss my chance in pre-season testing through illness, but I am now fully fit and recovered and I can’t wait to go,” the 22-year-old Latifi declared.
Latifi was forced missed his chance to drive the Force India during the winter test because he was sick from a serious infection that put him in hospital.
“Force India has a great history of giving young drivers an opportunity and I want to help the team develop and push forward in the midfield battle. This test is a very important step ahead of my first Free Practice outing in Canada and I am grateful to the team for all the support they’re giving me.
“There is so much I can learn to develop into a better driver and I am keen to absorb as much information as possible working with our engineers. I am on a high after my podium in Baku [in Formula 2] last weekend, I am very pleased with how things are going and I want to build on that,” the Canadian concluded.
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