Louis secures test and reserve driver role at Haas F1 Team

Louis Delétraz has taken an important step towards achieving his goal of becoming an F1 race driver by being confirmed as an official test and reserve driver with Haas F1 Team.

The Swiss driver has supported the American team with its simulator programme since 2018 and was rewarded with an opportunity to make his F1 debut in its VF-18 during a Pirelli Tyre Test in Abu Dhabi.

In his new test and reserve driver role, Louis will continue his simulator duties and support the team on the ground at Grands Prix when the delayed 2020 season gets underway.

Stepping up his involvement with Haas F1 Team is a big boost to Louis’ career ambitions, and he’s looking forward to continuing his F1 learning alongside his upcoming campaign in the FIA Formula 2 Championship with Charouz Racing System.

“To be an official test and reserve driver in Formula One is another step along the way to reaching my ultimate goal of competing in Formula One,” the 22-year-old said.

“I made my debut in a Formula One car with Haas F1 Team and I’m naturally thrilled that we have developed that opportunity, as well as my simulator work last season, into an official role as a test and reserve driver.

“I would like to thank Gene Haas and Guenther Steiner for adding me to the programme in this capacity. The bonus for me is that with Formula 2 on the support bill at a variety of Grand Prix events, I know they will get to see me race and I can spend more time embedding myself with the team when the timetable allows.”

While the world waits for the 2020 season to start, Louis is expected fly the flag for Haas F1 Team when he races for the squad during the next round of Formula One’s eSports Virtual Grand Prix series on Sunday, 5 April.

Haas F1 Team team principal Guenther Steiner said: “Louis has proven himself over the past 12 months, both in his endeavours with us as well as his F2 exploits, and we’re delighted to confirm him as an official test and reserve driver for Haas F1 Team in 2020.

“His work in the simulator was undoubtedly of value as we faced our challenges last season and we’re excited to continue to present him with further opportunities to expand his relationship with the team in 2020 when we can return to work.

“I have no doubt Louis will continue to add significant input into our own race programme supporting Romain (Grosjean) and Kevin (Magnussen) and the whole engineering team with the Haas VF-20.

“On-track I’m keen to see him build on his previous F2 successes and continue to be a front-runner in Formula One’s hotly contested feeder series.”

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