Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe
Autosport Plus

F1's invisible men: The keys to 2014

Just because there's so little testing in contemporary grand prix racing doesn't mean that non-race drivers have nothing to do, as Edd Straw explains

You probably assumed Jerome d'Ambrosio had drawn the short straw when it was revealed in the Lotus E21 launch press pack that he had been busted down to fourth-choice behind ebullient GP2 champion Davide Valsecchi.

But becoming, in Enstone-speak, "reserve driver" rather than "third driver", is far from a negative. While Valsecchi will get to spend each grand prix weekend kicking his heels and secretly hoping that either Romain Grosjean or Kimi Raikkonen pick up a largely inconsequential injury that will force them to sit out a weekend, d'Ambrosio has a far more valuable role back at the factory.

Previous article McLaren to lead off busy Formula 1 launch period with MP4-28 reveal
Next article McLaren becomes second F1 team to unveil its 2013 car, the MP4-28

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe