BAR signs Patrick Lemarie as Test Driver

Patrick Lemarie Signs For Test Team BRACKLEY, ENGLAND, Monday, 25 January 1999 - British American Racing today announced that Patrick Lemarie has signed as official test driver for the team in 1999. The 30-year-old Frenchman brings a wealth of ...

Patrick Lemarie Signs For Test Team

BRACKLEY, ENGLAND, Monday, 25 January 1999 - British American Racing today announced that Patrick Lemarie has signed as official test driver for the team in 1999. The 30-year-old Frenchman brings a wealth of single-seater experience with him, including stints in Formula Three, Formula Atlantic and Formula 3000. He also greatly impressed British American Racing personnel in the course of his first-ever test of a Formula One car, at Silverstone, last July.

"I watched Patrick closely when he was competing in the FIA International Formula 3000 Championship in 1996, and we are delighted to have him on board at British American Racing," says Test Team Manager, Robert Synge. "In the course of a Formula One test with us last year, he proved to be a quick learner and consistent in his lap times - both important attributes for a test driver. It's also useful that his taste in chassis set-up and driving style are known to be very close to those of our drivers.

"British American Racing has an extensive test programme planned for 1999, so we intend to keep Patrick busy this year. Currently, the plan is to get him in the car as soon as possible so that he can work on carrying out reliability and systems checks. As he becomes more experienced with the operation of the car, he will undoubtedly be entrusted with even more responsibility for set-up and development work."

British American Racing Commercial Director, Rick Gorne, is equally positive in his view of the team's new signing.

"I am very pleased that Patrick is joining us as official test driver," he says. "Research and development are key issues in building and maintaining a competitive Formula One team in this day and age, and having the services of a skilled test driver is critical to maintaining the continuity of our programme. The engineers were very impressed with Patrick when he tested for us last year, and I'm sure as he builds up mileage in the new car, he's going to become a very valuable asset to the team."