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[KyrosV]

Honda to test Di Grassi in Spain
Di Grassi joined Renault in their development programme in 2004
Honda will give Renault's third driver Lucas Di Grassi the chance to test for them in Barcelona later this month.

The 24-year-old Brazilian will join the team for their first winter test at the Circuit de Catalunya on 17 November.

Honda plan to name their 2009 drivers before Christmas with both Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello out of contract at the end of the year.

As well as Di Grassi, the team will also give Bruno Senna, the nephew of F1 legend Ayrton, a test in Barcelona.

The team will run this season's RA108 car in Barcelona for three days as they begin their build-up to next season.

Di Grassi will take part in the test after being overlooked by Renault, who have stuck with drivers Fernando Alonso and Nelson Piquet Jnr for 2009.

"After such an impressive performance in GP2 this season and during his testing responsibilities with Renault, we look forward to seeing Lucas in action and will take a keen interest in how he performs."

Di Grassi has raced in GP2, which has provided several drivers for F1 since its incarnation in 2005, for the last three seasons, finishing second in 2007 and third this season.

The Brazilian has also been part of Renault's development programme since 2004 and was the team's third driver in 2008 but is now keen to take the next step in his career.

"The next two weeks will be a very important stage in my development," said the 24-year-old.

"I will be spending a lot of time at the Honda factory before the test to speak with the engineers and learn as much as possible in advance of the test.

"I am very excited to have the opportunity of testing with Honda in Barcelona and look forward to proving myself to the team."

Honda are expected to keep faith with British driver Button next season despite another difficult campaign for the 28-year-old.

Button collected just three points whilst team-mate Barrichello claimed eight in a season marred by a lack of pace and reliability.

Barrichello has spoken of his desire to stay with Honda but the Brazilian is out of contract at the end of the year and at 36 is the oldest active driver in F1.

[EwanM]

Letting Di Grassi go was stupid of Renault - especially when you see the driver they chose over him.

[McLaren Fan]

Letting Di Grassi go was stupid of Renault - especially when you see the driver they chose over him.

They see Grosjean as their man. A French driver in a team basically masquerading as French will be good for marketing purposes.

Di Grassi has potential, but, like all of youngster this year, they're not quite ready to step up to Formula One. Unless they are going to be driving for a team at the back of the grid, they should hold their horses for another season and enter the top flight when they are ready.

[Denthúl]

I think I should just give up all hope.

This helps. Maybe Nick Fry will listen to Jenson. I certainly hope so:

Jenson Button has urged his Honda Racing chiefs to stick with Rubens Barrichello next year - as he thinks the team will be better off with two experienced drivers.

Honda have announced in the past few days that they are to test Brazilian youngsters Bruno Senna and Lucas di Grassi at Barcelona in Spain later this month as part of their evaluation process for a future race seat.

And although team CEO Nick Fry says it is important the team evaluate new blood, Button thinks Honda would be better off sticking with the experienced Barrichello for 2009.

When asked at a preview press conference for the Race of Champions whether he felt having two experienced drivers was vital for Honda, Button said: "Yes, definitely, especially with the new regulations.

"There are so many changes aerodynamically with the car, and with the KERS also, and the slick tyres, they will need a lot of feedback from us. And having a new boy in the car, I don't feel that you get as much feedback. But it is not my decision."

Button said that he felt Barrichello - who outqualified him 10 times this season - was in the best shape he had seen this year.

"He has driven better this year, than at any point since he has been with our team," said Button. "This is his best season and he says he is driving better now than he ever has done, and I don't think Rubens lies.

"He tells the truth, which is always good in a teammate, and he has put in some very good performances.

"The last three races have been his best. In the race we have been very similar in pace, but in qualifying he has beaten me in the last three races. He has done a good job."

Despite his feelings about Barrichello, Button believes the team were doing the right thing in trying out Senna and di Grassi

"Well it is interesting for the team and it gives them a chance, which is good for them," he said. "But I think it is important to test inexperienced drivers to see how quick they are because nobody really knows.

"Bruno almost won the GP2 championship, he finished behind Pantano who has been there for 10 years, but he might be astonishingly quick in an F1 car, we don't know."

Button's own deal for next year has not yet been confirmed, although autosport.com understands that provisional agreement about him remaining onboard has been reached.

"Nothing is sorted or signed but the team know how I feel and I think I know how the team feels," said Button. "Hopefully we can sort something out soon."

[7UpJordan]

Letting Di Grassi go was stupid of Renault - especially when you see the driver they chose over him.

They see Grosjean as their man. A French driver in a team basically masquerading as French will be good for marketing purposes.

I reckon they would have been better off replacing Piquet with Bourdais if they wanted a French driver but Flavio had to grind his axe.