Following a run during Friday morning practice at Sepang earlier on this year, Fairuz Fauzy will be taking to the seat of a Lotus at Silverstone during the first session this weekend, replacing Jarno Trulli. The relaunched team have also promised Fauzy three further sessions later on during the year at Hungary, Singapore and Abu Dhabi.
While the Malaysian is a relatively competent driver, Fauzy struggled somewhat in his time in GP2 some years ago and did not score a single point during his two year stint with DAMS and Super Nova respectively. Fauzy also competed in GP2 Asia at the end of 2008 (finishing the season in 4th overall) and also drove for Team Malaysia in A1GP for three seasons. A run in Formula Renault 3.5 in 2009 saw him finish (a distant) second behind Bertrand Baguette, although the perceived step backward from GP2 may not be viewed highly amongst some squads.
Admittedly it is nice to see him in the seat, but one wonders if Fauzy is shoring up cash for the fledgling team, rather than delivered solid technical information.
They are giving him a run on a track that has a new section the race drivers don’t know. That doesn’t seem very bright. Surely they would be better giving him a run at tracks they know.
I can only assume that the teams have enough the simulators to have solid information on the new section.
As well as that, there’s old issue of drivers running in the morning on a “green track” and little grip.
In a sense, I wonder if morning running really produces much relevant results, but I see where you’re coming from. Kovalainen and Trulli should have the car; however it could also have been a specific request from backers for Fauzy to run Silverstone.