all articles

In Reserve

Rodolfo Gonzalez joins the Team as Reserve Driver for the 2013 season

Melbourne, Australia, Round 1 of the 2013 FIA Formula 1™ World Championship
Thursday 14 March 2013, 15.30hrs Melbourne/04.30hrs GMT

We are pleased to announce that we have signed Rodolfo Gonzalez as our Reserve Driver for the 2013 season. He joins the Team with effect from this weekend’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

The 26 year old Venezuelan, who has competed in the GP2 Series and GP2 Asia Series for the past three seasons, will attend each of the 19 Grands Prix on the 2013 calendar in the event that he is required to substitute for one of the race drivers at short notice. In addition, as a member of the Marussia F1 Team Young Driver Programme, Rodolfo will also take part in selected FP1 sessions and this season’s Young Driver Test.

John Booth, Team Principal, Marussia F1 Team

“I’m delighted that we have completed our full driver line-up ahead of the opening race in Melbourne this weekend. We welcome Rodolfo to the Marussia F1 Team and take encouragement from the fact that he has all the right experience to be able to fulfil the role of Reserve Driver in the event that he is required to step into a seat. To further prepare him we look forward to seeing him take part in a number of FP1 sessions throughout the season, when we will also have the opportunity to evaluate his performances for the future.”

Rodolfo Gonzalez

“I am very excited to be joining the Marussia F1 Team and at such an exciting time in their development. Working closely with the race drivers and engineers at every stage of the race weekend is a fantastic opportunity for me to learn outside of the car and I hope that I can make a significant contribution to the Team’s progress. I am looking forward to being part of the Team, starting this weekend in Melbourne, and I would like to thank the Team for their trust in me and this fantastic opportunity. Although it is a big moment for my career, the people of Venezuela are going through a sad time at present due to the death of President Chavez, so I hope this news lifts their spirits a little. For me, I am disappointed that I was not able to share the news with him personally.”