Fairuz Fauzy reserve driver for Lotus Renault GP

Lotus Renault GP announced today the name of its 2011 reserve driver. For this new season and the new steps of the Renault team as Lotus Renault GP, it is Fairuz Fauzy who will take on the role of third driver.

The 28-year-old Malaysian joins the team with extensive experience in motorsport; he has already logged a significant number of kilometers behind the wheel of an F1 car during the free practice sessions of the 2010 season. He also competed in the GP2 series, A1 GP, and World Series by Renault championships, finishing second in 2009.

In addition to his role in Formula 1 this season, Fairuz will return to the GP2 series this year with Super Nova Racing, and his car will feature the logo of the car manufacturer Proton, a shareholder of Lotus Cars.

« I would like to thank Lotus Renault GP for this opportunity. It is an honor to be part of a great team with such a pedigree – it’s a dream for any driver. It is even more exciting to be associated with the team as it embarks on a new era, and I am proud to be part of this adventure. » Comments Fauzy.

« This role is also a great opportunity for me. It will allow me to progress as a driver and learn as much as possible about Formula 1, so that hopefully, one day, I can be on the starting grid. »

The young driver program usually called the Renault Young Driver Development is also renamed LRGP Academy.

As the reserve driver for the team, Fairuz Fauzy is also the first driver to join the LRGP Academy, a program designed to highlight young talents and prepare them for the premier discipline of motorsport.

Fairuz will take part in the team’s development work and will have the opportunity to broaden and deepen his Formula 1 experience by driving the team’s 2009 car, the R29, on several occasions during specific test sessions.

The objective of the LRGP Academy program is to prepare young drivers for the challenges of F1 both on and off the track. Whether it is physical training, media training, or driving an F1 car, the program gives young hopefuls the opportunity to develop a range of skills while forging close relationships with Lotus Renault GP.

Several other drivers will join the ranks of the LRGP Academy this season.