Fauzy joins Lotus Renault GP

Lotus Renault GP have today announced that Fairuz Fauzy joins the team as a reserve driver for the 2011 season. The 28-year-old Malaysian joins the team after running several practice sessions in 2010 with Lotus Racing.

In addition to his Formula 1 duties, Fairuz will return to racing this year in the GP2 series with Super Nova Racing. His car will carry significant branding from Malaysian car manufacturer and Lotus Cars stakeholder, Proton.

Fairuz Fauzy commented: “I want to thank Lotus Renault GP for giving me this opportunity. It’s a real honour to be part of a top team that has achieved so much in the sport and it’s something any driver dreams about. It’s feels especially exciting because of the new partnership with Lotus and I’m very proud to be here at the start of a new era for the team. It’s also a great opportunity for me to improve as a driver and learn as much as I can about Formula 1 so that hopefully one day I can be on the grid myself.”

As a reserve driver for the team, Fairuz Fauzy also becomes the first driver to join the LRGP Academy, a programme designed to bring on promising talents and prepare them for Grand Prix racing. As a member of the programme, he will take part in development work for the team and will have the opportunity to gain further Formula 1 experience in a 2009-spec Formula 1 car, the R29.

The programme is designed to prepare drivers for the demands of Formula 1 competition both on and off the track. Whether attending fitness camps, undergoing media training, or actually getting behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car, it gives drivers the chance to develop a wide range of skills while building a relationship with the team.

Several drivers will be inducted into the programme during 2011 to complete Lotus Renault GP’s reserve driver line-up.