Mirko Bortolotti confirmed at Toro Rosso for Jerez test
19-year-old to drive for Italian F1 squad in December
Formula Two race winner Mirko Bortolotti has been called up to
test for the Scuderia Toro Rosso Formula One team in Jerez, Spain
on 2 December. Bortolotti will become the second F2 driver to
experience Formula One machinery this season after impressing in
the F1 feeder series during 2009. This year's F2 champion Andy
Soucek will test with Williams next month as part of his prize for
wining the title.
"I'm very happy and very proud," said Bortolotti. "My target
is to get to Formula One in the next few years so to be selected
for this test is very important for my career. Of course, if I can
get to F1 even sooner then that will be great, but first I must
focus on Jerez!"
Next month's test will be Bortolotti's second taste of Formula One
machinery, as he tested with the Scuderia Ferrari team at the end
of 2008 as part of his prize for winning the Italian F3 title. The
19-year-old set an unofficial lap record of 59.111s around
Ferrari's Fiorano circuit in the F2008 car - eclipsing his rivals
testing that day by more than a second, as well as beating previous
efforts during the season set by Kimi Räikkönen, Luca
Badoer and Marc Gene.
Following his impressive performance Bortolotti was quickly
selected to join the Red Bull junior team, who immediately placed
him in the 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship. He scored his first
series victory at Brno in the Czech Republic - only his third
international single seater race - before clinching fourth in the
overall standings. The Italian driver also scored a podium finish
during a one-off outing in the F3 Euro Series in October.
"There are not many chances for young drivers to test an F1 car
due to the regulations so I'm very excited and thankful to Red Bull
for giving me this opportunity," commented Mirko. "It is great
that Red Bull has looked at my performance in F2 - I didn't have
the best of luck during the season and it is always difficult when
the field is so evenly matched. I think I finished in front of Andy
Soucek in four of my five podiums so I showed that I had the pace.
It could have been better for me but it was my first season in
international racing so I have to be happy with the way things have
gone."
Bortolotti, who was linked with the vacant berth at Ferrari
earlier this season following Felipe Massa's serious accident
in the Hungarian Grand Prix, will be
in Jerez as part of a three day post-season rookie test
running from 1-3 December. In line with the new-for-2009 testing
limitations, the session will only permit those who have driven in
two or less Grands Prix to enter, and the Italian will test during
day two.
"I understand that it is an important test for all of the Formula
One teams also," concluded the Italian. "Every mile counts
particularly with the current testing situation so I will prepare
myself well over the next few weeks and be ready to help the team
carry out their programme. Of course, I always want to be on top
and beat the other guys but I have to be realistic and focus on my
own opportunity. I will try to learn as much as possible; I want to
work closely with the team and see how all of the guys operate. My
dream is to reach F1 and I hope this is the beginning of a good
relationship with the team."
Formula Two Champion Andy Soucek will take part in the opening day
of the same test, when the Spaniard has his chance to impress
the Williams F1 Team as part of his prize for clinching the
title.
