NOVEMBER 7, 2008

Di Grassi to test for Honda

Honda Racing F1 Team is to run Renault test driver Lucas di Grassi in Barcelona later this month. The Brazilian driver will join the Brackley team for the three-day test which begins on November 17. The 24-year-old had been hoping to be named as the second Renault driver for next year but the French-owned operation decided to stick with the unconvincing Nelson Piquet, who had been rumoured to be under consideration by Honda. With Piquet being retained the Honda team has thus moved on to di Grassi.

Although he has yet to race in F1, di Grassi has done a lot of testing with Renault and has been a frontrunner in GP2 for the last two seasons, finishing second to Timo Glock in 2007 and third this year, despite missing several races at the start of the season.

"This is a very well-deserved opportunity for Lucas to prove his potential after such an impressive performance in GP2 this season and during his testing responsibilities with the ING Renault F1 Team," said Honda's Ross Brawn. "We look forward to seeing Lucas in action and will take a keen interest in how he performs."

If he does well it is anticipated that di Grassi will replace Rubens Barrichello in the team.