Newly crowned Formula Renault champion Giedo van de Garde will test for Renault at Catalunya next week, it has been confirmed.
The test is a prize for winning the Formula Renault title in much the same way that McLaren-Mercedes offer a test opportunity to drivers who win the young driver autosport award.
This is an incredible opportunity being offered to me by Renault Sport Technologies and ING Renault F1 Team,” said 23-year-old Garde.
“To be able to test-drive a Formula One car in these conditions, with a team that has won two world championships and again this year won two Grands Prix, is ideal.
“Going back to Enstone will be very special for me. I often used to go and train there when I was on the Renault Driver Development programme. So I’ll be seeing people I already know. That will help me to integrate into the team more easily.”
“It’s a real positive to be driving on a circuit where I’ve driven quite a lot in the past,” said van der Garde. But in a Formula One car, everything will be different. It’s another world.
“The most important thing for me will be to learn as much as I can. I’m going to do all I can to meet the team’s expectations.”