Nicholas Latifi enjoys first test of Force India VJM11

On Tuesday, the 21-year-old Toronto native completed 107 laps and clocked up 498 kilometres around the road course, site of the Spanish Grand Prix last weekend.

The test was part of Latifi’s build up to his programme of Friday free practice outings with Force India, starting at next month’s Canadian Grand Prix on Montréal’s Gilles Villeneuve circuit.

Latifi, the reserve and test driver of the Force India F1 team, set a best lap time of 1:18.530 was good enough to place him fifth fastest out of 13 drivers who took part in the test.

“It was a very good first day on track with the team and I finally had the chance to put into practice a lot of the procedures and processes that I had learned in the simulator,” Latifi declared after his day’s work.

“I’m pleased with how the day went; we ran smoothly with no big dramas. We completed lots of laps. I’m glad I could help the team with their testing programme and I am looking forward to being back in the simulator with this new knowledge of how the car behaves on track.”

“It was a very solid performance by Nicholas on his first day in the car,” said Tom McCullough, Force India’s chief race engineer.

“Our programme included a series of aero test items with extra instrumentation on the car in the early part of the day, which allowed him to get up to speed with how we operate and with understanding the VJM11.

“Nicholas settled in well with the team from an operational point of view and was on top of the various switches and procedures straight away after the simulator work he did earlier in the season. We were able to get straight to the various test items and completed the main objectives. It was a good day and a great start to our on-track relationship with Nicholas.”