Is Piquet staying at Renault as Di Grassi tests for Honda?

[John S]

I just can't see how Flav can allow Di Grassi to test for Honda, see report below, if he really has been signed to Renault in place of Piquet for 09. I would expect it to be Piquet testing alongside Senna. My reading is Piquet will carry on alongside Ferd next year.


GP2 star and current Renault test driver Lucas di Grassi is the second young driver to be handed a testing opportunity by Honda later this month as the Brackley squad considers its options for next season.

After already confirming it would be evaluating Bruno Senna for a potential 2009 race seat at Barcelona from 17-19 November, Honda has now announced that di Grassi will also be at the same Circuit de Catalunya test

The Brazilian driver will spend all three days with the team, initially familiarising himself with the squad before getting a full day of running in the RA108.

"We are delighted to provide Lucas with a test with the Honda Racing F1 Team later this month,” said Honda team boss Ross Brawn.

“This is a very well-deserved opportunity for Lucas to prove his potential after such an impressive performance in GP2 this season and during his testing responsibilities with the ING Renault F1 Team.

“We look forward to seeing Lucas in action and will take a keen interest in how he performs."

Di Grassi had been tipped as a possible replacement for Nelson Piquet Jr in Renault’s line-up for next year after a strong series of performances in the GP2 Series, in which he finished third in the standings despite missing this season’s first three rounds.

The 24-year-old thanked his Renault employers for releasing him for the test and believes it is a big moment in his career to impress.

"I am very excited to have the opportunity of testing with the Honda Racing F1 Team in Barcelona and look forward to proving myself to the team,” he said.

“I would like to say thank you to the ING Renault F1 Team for all their support and for allowing me this opportunity to help further my career.

“The next two weeks will be a very important stage in my development and I will be spending a lot of time at the Honda Racing F1 Team's factory before the test to speak with the engineers and learn as much as possible in advance of the test."

While Jenson Button is all but certain to stay on at Honda into 2009, the team's bosses have opted to test out a number of young drivers for the second seat which is currently occupied by veteran Rubens Barrichello.

The 36-year-old Brazilian is therefore still waiting on to find out if his F1 career will extend into a 17th season.

report from itvF1.com

[Steven Roy]

Piquet was announced for next year a couple of days ago.  Renault are keep ing both drivers.