Formula 1
De Villota not ruling out Friday drive
GMM
Edited: May 9, 2012, 5:30 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
May 9 (GMM) Maria de Villota is not ruling out appearing during a Friday morning practice session some time in 2012.
The 32-year-old Spaniard made international headlines in March when she signed with Marussia as a test driver.
"I am trying to do all my duties well so that they are happy with me.
Maria de Villota
She subsequently admitted, however, that - despite travelling to all the Grands Prix with the former Virgin team this year - she is "not the reserve driver".
De Villota, whose father Emilio is a former F1 driver, also clarified in March that she is not contracted to practice on Friday mornings.
But she is not ruling it out now.
"It depends on the team," she told the Spanish news agency EFE.
"I am trying to do all my duties well so that they are happy with me. And I think they are," said de Villota.
"But the car is new and the drivers need the miles to develop it. So it's up to the team (to decide).
Maria de Villota, test driver, Marussia F1 Team
Photo by: xpb.cc
"Hopefully it will happen soon, but what happens this year will happen. There may be surprises, but for now I am getting to do a lot of work in the simulator."
Meanwhile, she made a bold prediction when asked which team she tips to win the so-far unpredictable 2012 championship.
"I think that McLaren is very strong," said de Villota.
The last female driver to take part in official Grand Prix sessions was the Italian Giovanna Amati, who failed to qualify for three races in 1992.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Ferrari men know Spain crucial for title
Next article Mercedes hints no plans to quit F1
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
GMM
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Formula 1
Formula 1
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Formula 1
Formula 1
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Formula 1
Formula 1
Chinese GP
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
More from
Maria de Villota
De Villota family reach agreement with Manor
Formula 1
Formula 1
De Villota family reach agreement with Manor
De Villota's family says it has grounds for legal action against Marussia
Formula 1
Formula 1
De Villota's family says it has grounds for legal action against Marussia
De Villota's family not ruling out legal action
Formula 1
Formula 1
De Villota's family not ruling out legal action
More from
McLaren
"Two steps forward, one step back" – Oscar Piastri explains the route out of McLaren's car woes
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
"Two steps forward, one step back" – Oscar Piastri explains the route out of McLaren's car woes
Why McLaren gave team order to Oscar Piastri in F1 US GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Why McLaren gave team order to Oscar Piastri in F1 US GP
Latest news
MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix: Pedro Acosta beats Marc Marquez in tense sprint
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Malaysian GP
3 min
MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix: Pedro Acosta beats Marc Marquez in tense sprint
Ducati copies swingarm fins and Aprilia responds with upgraded version
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Malaysian GP
2 h
Ducati copies swingarm fins and Aprilia responds with upgraded version
Jorge Martin concedes 2026 MotoGP title is “already lost” after Malaysian GP withdrawal
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Malaysian GP
2 h
Jorge Martin concedes 2026 MotoGP title is “already lost” after Malaysian GP withdrawal
Layne Riggs had no problem with teammate going for the win despite title fight
NASCAR Truck
NSTR NASCAR Truck
Martinsville
3 h
Layne Riggs had no problem with teammate going for the win despite title fight
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe