Reigning GP2 Series Champion Jolyon Palmer today joined Lotus F1 Team as
Third Driver for the 2015 season.
Jolyon will attend all Grands Prix and Formula 1 tests throughout 2015
for Lotus F1 Team, including driving in a significant number of Free
Practice 1 sessions, as well as contributing to the car’s testing and
development during the season. Jolyon will also fulfil the role of
Reserve Driver.
Jolyon is the first British driver to win the GP2 Series since two-time
Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton. He won the 2014 GP2 title in
record-breaking fashion, with the greatest amount of points scored in a
season (276) and the most consecutive points finishes (19). Lotus F1
Team’s two race drivers, Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado, are both
also former GP2 Champions.
Gerard Lopez, Chairman and Team Principal, Lotus F1 Team:
“Jolyon is a fantastic talent and a very credible driver to fulfil the
role of Third Driver at Lotus F1 Team. Romain and Pastor are both GP2
Series Champions, so we know what a fantastic proving ground GP2
provides. For Jolyon to have enjoyed such a successful season as he took
his title last year shows his superb potential for the future. We are
looking forward to seeing him in team colours and behind the wheel of
our 2015 car, the E23 Hybrid, which represents an exciting new era for
Lotus F1 Team.”
Jolyon Palmer:
“I'm delighted to be moving into F1 with Lotus F1 Team this year as
Third Driver and I'm very grateful for the opportunity they have given
me. My goal has been to become a race driver in a competitive F1 team
for 2016 and Lotus F1 Team is a great opportunity for me, particularly
with Mercedes engines now. To be able to learn with a major F1 team by
working closely with them in every area and getting a lot of mileage in
the car is the best way possible, as Valtteri Bottas proved. I am
delighted to be joining Lotus F1 Team at such an exciting time and my
objective is to earn a long term future with them.”
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