07/11/2011
NEWS STORY
HRT will have Spanish driver Dani Clos on duty for the young driver test which takes place in Abu Dhabi following the Grand Prix.
The 23 year old from Barcelona will race in the final GP2 event at the Yas Marina Circuit this weekend and will then get the chance to take a step further towards F1 in the three-day test which runs from the 15th to the 17th of November.
"I feel very lucky to be driving a Formula 1 car again, like I did in 2008," said Clos, referring to two outings for Williams at Jerez that year. "It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to make it to an F1 Test. I would like to thank the whole HRT team beforehand for putting their trust in me. I have worked very hard throughout my career and to see HRT F1 Team deposit its faith in me is a great way of proving my worth. I am sure that the work we will put in will be beneficial for both parties. I want to thank everyone that backs me and trusts in me, especially the people who are closest to me, for having helped me into making this a reality.".
Clos made his debut in single-seater racing in 2004 in Formula Renault Italia 2.0, going on to win the Championship in 2006. A year later he joined Renault's F1 programme and took part in the Formula Three Euroseries. In 2008 he entered Williams F1's young drivers' programme and finished in 2nd in the 24h Barcelona race. In 2009 he made his debut in the GP2 series, with a 3rd place finish in Portimao being his best result. In his second year in GP2 he achieved his first win in Turkey alongside various podium finishes. In 2011 Dani Clos took one win and two podiums in what was his third season as a GP2 driver.