Jules Bianchi joins Force India as reserve driver for 2012

[epiclyaddicted]

Jules Bianchi joins Sahara Force India as reserve driver for 2012
Sahara Force India is pleased to announce that Jules Bianchi has joined the team as its reserve driver for the 2012 season.

The 22-year-old Frenchman will be integrated in the team’s programme and will participate in a minimum of nine Friday practice sessions during Grand Prix weekends. In preparation for the 2012 season, Jules will get his first run in the VJM05 during pre-season testing next month.

The appointment sees Sahara Force India continue its tradition of investing in young drivers and developing their skills by giving them time in the car.

Jules Bianchi: “I’m obviously excited to join Sahara Force India and the chance to get track time during race weekends is an important step for me. Being regularly in a current car is the best way to learn quickly and I hope it will put me in a strong position to one day move into a race seat. The next few months will be really exciting as I get to know the team, see how they work, and prepare for my time in the car. I would like to thank everyone for believing in me and especially Sahara Force India for giving me this great opportunity.”

Dr. Vijay Mallya, Team Principal and Managing Director: “I am delighted to welcome Jules into the Sahara Force India family. We always keep an eye on young, talented drivers and his performance in GP2 certainly impressed us all. By giving Jules the opportunity to be part of our 2012 campaign, we continue to demonstrate our commitment to young drivers. We are proud of our track record in this regard and I have no doubt that Jules will quickly settle into the team and make a valuable contribution to our efforts on track this season.”

http://www.jules-bianchi.com/en/news...mese=01&id=484

As the first graduate of our academy, I'm well pleased for Jules! He'll get first run in Force India's 2012 car in testing, and at least 9 FP1 running. Hopefully a race drive in 2013 somewhere!

[Rishu]

Happy for Jules!

Good thing about being the reserve driver for a team like SFI is that he'll not be just warming the benches, he will get many Friday sessions to drive..

[Ste]

From 15th December

I have 100% confirmation that Hulkenberg and Di Resta are driving for Force India with Bianchi as third driver

[Homan13PSU]

Congrats to Jules on this. Sounds like he will remain a part of the Academy as well retaining that Ferrari link.

Also, congrats to Davide Rignon for coming on board with Ferrari.

http://www.ferrari.com/English/Formu...adventure.aspx

[Katu]

i'm happy for him, he gets some track time and hopefully will have a race seat by 2013

[F2008]

And who is Ferrari's reserve driver now? Also Bianchi?

[Katu]

And who is Ferrari's reserve driver now? Also Bianchi?

apparently

[T van R]

Congratulations to Jules Bianchi

[T van R]

And who is Ferrari's reserve driver now? Also Bianchi?

Ferrari's Reserve driver is Marc Gene.

[Greig]

Yeah in name only as 2009 showed

[epiclyaddicted]

Actually, no one is Ferrari's reserve driver. According to some of the journalists, apparently Ferrari said they don't need to name a 3rd driver at this stage.

But looks like Davide Rigon will be doing a lot of the duties that Bianchi was involved with last year, and simulator duties will probably be shared between Gene and Rigon. In fact, while Alonso, Massa and Bianchi are training in the Canary Islands at the moment, I think Marc Gene is still working on the simulator for the new car.

[Tifosi]

Bring back Inspector Gadget - he had stuff in his hat and allsorts

[Mrs Alonso]

Very pleased for Jules. This is a great opportunity to get F1 experience and also glad he's still on Ferrari's books so he can hopefully become a race driver for us one day.

[Jose Lorca]

When it became clear that Bianchi wasnt going to get a drive, his best option was to secure a reserve driver role that would give him practice time in the car. Now he can gain some experience and try to get a drive in 2013, and I think he has a good chance of being at Sauber or Force India next year - as long as he doesnt screw up this year.

[RockyRaccoon]

We'll see Jules in a Ferrari sooner than later, he has a lot of potential IMO.

[TheProdigalSon]

If he proves he's got what it takes when he gets a proper race seat then I can see him at Ferrari in the future. Obviously that's Ferrari's intention since having a home grown WDC will look good on them.

[Massimo181]

Whats happened to Fischi?!!

[Katu]

Whats happened to Fischi?!!

age

[epiclyaddicted]

Whats happened to Fischi?!!

Still on Ferrari's payroll, mainly driving in GTs these days.

[F2008]

Jan.30 (GMM/Inautonews.com) Adrian Sutil and Vitaly Petrov have emerged as candidates to become Ferrari’s official reserve driver in 2012.
With Jules Bianchi moving into Force India’s Friday practice seat this year, it was reported that Italian GP2 driver Davide Rigon had succeeded him at Ferrari.
In fact, the Maranello based team is believed to not consider the 25-year-old as ready to step in should Fernando Alonso or Felipe Massa need replacing during a grand prix weekend.
Indeed, Ferrari said Rigon has extended his contract and will be “on call … for all racing and promotional activities”.
The team did not mention official reserve driving duties.
Finland’s Turun Sanomat said the real frontrunners for the job are the respective Renault and Force India refugees Vitaly Petrov and Adrian Sutil.
Russian Petrov played down the rumour.
“If you want to go to Ferrari, you don’t want to go for one year only,” he insisted.
“I can’t say whether it has been discussed or not, but for me I think it is too early to go to Ferrari. Maybe in one or two years the time will be right.”

[Corey]

age

Fisi > Sutil/Petrov.