Soucek toasts title success in Madrid
Newly-crowned F2 champion celebrates with VIP party in Spanish capital
Having clinched the 2009 FIA Formula two Championship in Imola
back in September, Andy Soucek was finally able to
celebrate his title success when he invited over 200 guests to
a VIP party in the five star Mirasierra Suites Hotel in Madrid.
The event was attended by representatives of the Spanish
Motorsports Federation, the Government of Madrid, VIPs, press,
sponsors and family, with Soucek being welcomed to the stage by
Spain's famous motorsport presenter Manu Carreño.
Soucek, who remains in contention for a seat in the 2010 FIA
Formula One World Championship, then introduced a highlight reel of
his F2 season before discussing his future prospects with family,
friends and sponsors. You can watch a copy of the video below.
"I hadn't really had a chance to celebrate since winning the
championship," Soucek explained, "so I had been planning this night
for a long time. Jonathan was really great in letting me take my F2
championship winning car down to the event and I really appreciate
it. The party got me a lot of exposure, with sports and fashion
media, and with live music and the video of my season it really was
a fantastic occasion."
Speaking after the party, Soucek admitted he was eagerly
anticipating his test with the Williams F1 team next month, where
he will share a car alongside their newly appointed rookie Nico
Hülkenberg. "It will be fantastic to finish the year with a
Williams test in my home country," he remarked. "It will be a
serious test alongside some of the best rookies in the world, where
I will be evaluated against champions and race winners from series
like GP2, F3 and Formula Renault 3.5.
"All the important drivers trying to get into Formula One will
be there so it will be a really good comparison and I cannot wait
for the opportunity. I am sure I can have a great test and be at
the front, which will hopefully lead to a future in Formula
One.
"I am also really looking forward to meeting the team and trying
out the F1 simulator. I have heard a lot of good things about it
and I am really looking forward to the experience. For sure it will
help me in preparing for the test but more importantly I will have
my seat fit and get to know some of the team, which is great. I am
really focussing on physical training particularly in the neck, but
I have tested an F1 car before so I am quite aware of what I need
to do. I am sure I will be in very good shape for the test."
Soucek will test with Williams on Tuesday 1 Dec at Jerez, before
Hülkenberg takes the car for the second and third days of the
test. Another F2 driver, Red Bull's Mirko Bortolotti, has been
called up for the test by the Scuedria Toro Rosso team.
Watch Andy Soucek's Season Highlight Reel
below: