HRT reserve driver Dani Clos will take the wheels from India’s Narain Karthikeyan for the opening practise session of the Formula One British Grand Prix here next weekend. Spanish driver Clos will step into the F112 for the second time in the season after the Barcelona round last month, says a report in Hindustan Times, adding that Clos will accompany Pedro de la Rosa for the first 90 minutes of practice at the iconic circuit with Karthikeyan taking over for the remainder of the weekend.
“I am very happy to step into the F112 once again, a place where I have got good memories since I have made the podium every time I have been in GP2. After Barcelona I have really been looking forward to this new opportunity,” said Clos.
"The work we are carrying out with the team is positive and I think that I can make a good contribution. I will be able to run in better conditions than in Barcelona because the car was new back then and I had to carry out various aero tests," Clos added, according to a report in The Times Of India.
Meanwhile, according to a report in The Hindu, there is a buzz of excitement here as the JK Racing Asia Series steps into Europe for the first time with a leg in France this weekend. The two rounds at the famed Paul Ricard Circuit at Le Castellet, near the lovely port city of Marseille, will see the promising Aditya Patel — who has been groomed in the JK Tyre stable — in action for the first time this season.
“The 24-year-old will drive for Eurointernational, last year’s team champion and this season’s leader, along with South African Aston Hare, and the second-placed Malaysian Nabil Jeffri. Patel won his category in the ‘24 Hours of Nurburgring’ recently, and it will be interesting to watch his performance in a strong team,” says The Hindu report.
“We look forward to our maiden round in Europe. We believe that this is a step forward, and hope the teams and the drivers make the best of this opportunity,” said Sanjay Sharma, JK Tyre’s Motorsport Head. “Our new racing sensation, Aditya Patel, is a guest driver at the Paul Ricard. He has proved his mettle in the Indian and international circuit, and I’m sure he won’t let it be an easy race weekend for his competitors.”
