Honda To Test Senna For Formula 1
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Nov 04, 2008
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The Senna name is set to return to Formula One in the next few weeks when Bruno Senna, nephew of Ayrton, makes his debut as a test driver - probably with the Honda team. Speaking in the city of his family home and the birthplace of his famous uncle, Bruno Senna said that he is in talks with several teams about his future, but could not yet confirm his plans.
“We are talking to people and everybody is only going to decide after this championship is over as they have their contracts to fulfil and they cannot do anything before that,” said Senna.
“It is no secret that I have been talking to Honda, Toro Rosso and other teams. But there is nothing signed yet with anyone. It is important for people to know that nothing is signed - and I have not signed a contract for next year.”
Honda says they are using the test to see if Senna is ready to make the jump to Formula One as early as next season.
“We continue to explore all the driver options available to us for next season,” said Honda team boss Ross Brawn. “Our objective is to have the best drivers available to us next season and our evaluation of Bruno’s performance will be rigorous.”
Senna, who won twice this past season while finishing runner-up to Giorgio Pantano in the GP2 series, knows his famous name carries with it some lofty expectations.
GP2 star Bruno Senna will sample a Formula One car for the first time later this month when he tests for Honda in Barcelona. Honda will assess the Brazilian during their first winter test at the Circuit de Catalunya on November 17-19.
“I am obviously very excited about being given my first Formula One test and to have that opportunity with Honda is a dream come true,” said Bruno, whose late uncle, Ayrton, worked closely with the Japanese company during his F1 career.
“Although I am still only in my fourth year of motor racing, I have wanted to test an F1 car for a very long time and I feel that I am ready for that challenge. I have already spent some time at the factory in Brackley and have enjoyed meeting the team and working with the engineers to prepare for this test. I hope to show the team what I can do, so it’s up to me now to do a good job.”
