Valsecchi still hopes for a full-time seat for 2014
Davide Valsecchi has not abandoned his dream of driving in F1 one day and is working to achieve it in 2014, even though there seems to be little chance of ending the absence of an Italian driver in F1.
After winning the GP2 championship title in 2012, Davide Valsecchi joined the Lotus F1 team as a reserve driver as he was unable to secure a main driver seat following his victory.
The Italian is rarely mentioned as a candidate for a full-time seat in 2014, but he does not lose hope, as he told Autosport: « Regarding my chances of becoming a race driver next year, I still have a little hope. The team will have to find a replacement for Kimi in 2014, and I am ready. »
Eric Boullier, the director of the Lotus team, had recently stated that he would favor a driver with experience, but if that couldn’t happen and he had to turn to a rookie, Valsecchi would have his chance.
Valsecchi believes he is one of the best drivers available at the moment and is waiting to be contacted: « I won the GP2 last year and I think I am one of the best drivers outside the 22 in F1. Maybe only [Kevin] Magnussen deserves it as much as I do. So maybe a F1 team will call me and I would be delighted to discuss. »
Even though he never raced in a Grand Prix with Lotus, Valsecchi is thrilled with his year spent with the British team as it allowed him to learn a lot: “This year, I’m working for a top team but I’m a reserve driver, so from a personal standpoint, I’m not satisfied because I’d like to drive – but I’m happy to have this opportunity and that the team is performing well.”
The Italian driver has “broken” the dynamics of GP2 champions by being the only one so far not to have raced in F1 – excluding Giorgio Pantano, who drove in F1 with Jordan before his GP2 title in 2008, and Fabio Leimer, crowned this year, whose future doesn’t seem defined.
