Canadian Confirmed for Young Driver Test with Marussia Virgin Racing

Toronto, ON– Robert Wickens made his Formula One Grand Prix weekend debut on Friday, at the Yas Marina Circuit, as the Canadian participated in Friday morning’s free practice session with Marussia Virgin Racing ahead of Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.  The Toronto racer ended his maiden F1 session just half a second off team-mate Timo Glock’s best time as he drove the team’s MVR-02 for the first time on the 5.55km circuit.

Wickens, a reserve driver for Marussia Virgin Racing since June and the 2011 Formula Renault 3.5 Series Champion, was then confirmed as one of the team’s participants in next week’s ‘Young Driver Test’, also hosted at Yas Marina Circuit, where he’ll run with the British-based team on Thursday, 17th November.

Robert, backed by Marussia Motors throughout his title winning Formula Renault 3.5 Series campaign, received his Free Practice outing on Friday with Marussia Virgin Racing as a reward for his efforts this season in Europe, which included five victories from a total of 10 podium finishes.  

In addition to his test opportunities with Marussia Virgin Racing, Robert will participate in the opening day of next week’s ‘Young Driver Test’, on Tuesday 15th November, driving the Lotus Renault GP R31.  The Canadian earned this full-day test opportunity as a prize from Renault for his title-winning efforts this season having earlier enjoyed some demonstration laps with the team in Hungary as a prize for leading the Formula Renault 3.5 Series at the half-way mark back in July.

“I’ve said all along that I’m going to make the most of these opportunities,” stated Wickens in Abu Dhabi.  “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being part of the Marussia Virgin Racing organization this season and I really want to thank them, not only for today’s Free Practice opportunity but now also for the chance to participate in next week’s test.  It’s been an incredible year to learn Formula One and there’s obviously no better way for me to show I’m ready to step up than to drive these cars.

“This morning’s practice session went well.  I know the track here from a GP2 test day last year so I didn’t have to learn that allowing me to concentrate fully on driving the MVR-02.  I ran on one set of prime tires and worked well with the team in terms of what they were looking to achieve from my outing.  Again, it was just a great opportunity to be out there with the regular Formula One drivers and I think I did a good job.  It gives me more to think about heading into next week’s test days.”

Robert’s only previous seat-time in Marussia Virgin Racing’s MVR-02, before today’s Grand Prix outing, was in straight-line testing Vairano in Italy back in September.