Formula One news

Van der Garde to test Renault F1

World Series by Renault champion Giedo van der Garde will be testing at Circuit de Catalunya next week with the Renault F1 team. Like previous World Series winners Van der Garde gets the opportunity to enjoy a day of testing with the Renault F1 team.

After a fine season which saw him secure the title in Estoril, Giedo Van der Garde will have the pleasure of testing with the ING Renault F1 Team during the official test days scheduled for November 17 and 18. Just like his predecessors, Robert Kubica, Alx Danielsson and Alvaro Parente, the 2008 champion will get to try his hand at driving a Formula 1 car in exceptional conditions.

In preparation for the test, Giedo will visit the Enstone plant on November 13. Once his seat has been moulded, he will meet the ING Renault F1 Team engineers, who will take him through the programme for the test session. The Dutch driver will also have the chance to soak up the unique atmosphere of a Formula 1 team. A few days later, he will head off to Spain to join the rest of the team.

Giedo Van der Garde, currently working hard on his preparations for 2009, cannot wait: "This is an incredible opportunity being offered to me by Renault Sport Technologies and ING Renault F1 Team. To be able to test-drive a Formula 1 car in these conditions, with a team that has won two world championships and again this year won two Grand 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."

Giedo is already well acquainted with the Catalunya circuit. "It's a real positive to be driving on a circuit where I've driven quite a lot in the past. But in a Formula 1 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 and follow the programme that the ING Renault F1 Team sets out for me. I can't wait!"

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