GP2 Series racer Rio Haryanto has been confirmed to run the second day of F1 testing with Caterham at Silverstone next month.
Haryanto will join up with the Malaysian squad for the July 9th running at the Buckinghamshire / Northamptonshire circuit, three days after the British Grand Prix.
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The Indonesian has twice previously tested for the Caterham team, having run at Abu Dhabi at the tail end on 2010 and again at Silverstone two years ago. Haryanto said, “I can’t wait to be back in an F1 car and I’m delighted it’s with Caterham F1 Team. The last time I drove an F1 car was at the young driver test at Silverstone in 2012 and with the new engine regulations this year I’m sure it’ll be a very different experience.”
Despite a slow start to the season with Caterham Racing, the 21-year-old currently sits 10th in the GP2 standings with 26 points. Haryanto has registered one podium thus far, having taken 3rd place in the reverse grid Sprint Race at Monaco.
While his current campaign may be hotting up considerably, the former GP3 race winner is keen to make the most of his Silverstone experience. “The goal for me is to use this day as another learning experience, another chance to build on the F1 laps I’ve already done, and while my focus before the test is obviously to do the best job I can in GP2, I will be 100% ready to work to the plan the team set and help them develop as best I can.”
The team’s other reserve, Will Stevens, will open testing for Caterham on July 8th.
It goes without saying that this has been a very difficult Formula One season for the Caterham squad. With a car that has stalled in the development stakes, the Anglo-Malaysian team are last in the Constructor’s Championship with a best finish of 11th for Marcus Ericsson at Monaco. The Leafield-based team have yet to register a point since joining Formula One in 2010.
