Fauzy returns to Spyker testing duties

FAIRUZ FAUZY RETURNS TO FORMULA ONE TESTING COCKPIT

Paul Ricard, France - May 14, 2007. Malaysian Fairuz Fauzy will resume his testing duties for the Etihad Aldar Spyker Formula One Team this Tuesday at the Paul Ricard circuit in southern France.

The test will be Fairuz's first laps in F1-spec machinery since he completed over 400km at the grand prix circuit of Barcelona back in February. The Malaysian is thrilled at the chance of returning to the cockpit of the Etihad Aldar Spyker F8-VII.

"I'm absolutely delighted that I've got a chance to help the team with some testing work this week," said the 24-year-old. "I have to thank Etihad Aldar Spyker Formula One Team for this opportunity and it will be great to get some further F1 testing mileage under my belt."

Tuesday's run will not be the first time Fairuz has driven the technical Paul Ricard circuit as he has prior knowledge of the track from his GP2 days. He is expected to run in the afternoon session with the Silverstone-based team's other drivers.

"It shouldn't be a problem to be on the pace straightaway, although at the moment I'm not sure which configuration of the Paul Ricard circuit we'll be running on, but that won't be of too much concern as I know the track well. It will be interesting to compare the circuit in an F1 car from the GP2 when I last drove there."

Fairuz is expecting to run through a varied testing programme similar to his runs in February at Barcelona and Valencia which might involve testing new parts, or even a race simulation.

The Malaysian is currently racing for Cram Competition in World Series by Renault in his 'Macho' sponsored machine and the testing trip to France follows the opening two events of the year at Monza and Nurburgring.

"It will be very exciting to get behind the wheel of the Etihad Aldar Spyker F8-VII again but after racing in World Series it will be a big jump. Although the World Series is close to an F1 car in terms of downforce there requires a lot of discipline to adjust your driving styles between the two types of car. However I don't expect there will be any problems adapting," said Fairuz.

Following the F1 run on Tuesday, the Etihad Aldar Spyker Formula One Team test driver will head to the streets of Monte Carlo at the end of May, where the next round of World Series supports the prestigious F1 Monaco Grand Prix.

-credit: www.fairuzfauzy.com