Formula 1 News

Spyker F1: Roldan Rodriguez signs as winter period test driver 

The 22 year old Roldan Rodriguez, from Valladolid, Spain, currently racing in GP2 Series, will join Spyker F1 Team in its test and development driver line-up over the 2007/08 winter period. Rodriguez, completed a 50km shakedown of the Spyker F8-VII at Silverstone last week.

“This test drive is a good opportunity for me to get more Formula One experience,” Rodriguez said. “I enjoyed the shakedown at Silverstone but as we could only do 50km, I am pleased that I can now get more mileage under my belt. I know the team has high expectations for next year and I really want to help it achieve its aims by contributing to the development programme over the winter.”

Colin Kolles, Spyker F1′s Team Principal and Managing Director, added, “I’m pleased to welcome Roldan to the team as a test driver. Despite only having limited time in the car last week at Silverstone, he applied himself well. With this experience and his good knowledge of the circuits we go to over the winter, I believe he will make a strong contribution to the team’s progress.”

Rodriguez is currently driving for the Minardi Piquet Sports team in GP2 Series. Currently 15th in the championship with just his “home” round in Valencia, Spain, remaining, Rodriguez’s season high point has been a podium at the Hungarian Grand Prix in August. Prior to GP2, he competed for several seasons in Spanish Formula 3, finishing second in 2006, Euroseries 3000 and Italian F3000. He was also a test driver for the Minardi F1 Team in 2005.

source: Spyker