Viso completes sucessful Silverstone test

Venezuelan Ernesto Viso completed the 'dress rehearsal' for his race weekend debut at the Brazilian Grand Prix with an impressive Formula One test at the Silverstone circuit this afternoon.

Viso has been signed by Spyker MF1 to drive the team's third car in Friday's practice for the Brazilian Grand Prix at the Interlagos circuit on 20th October. The Silverstone test was preparation for that role.

During the test session, which was badly affected by heavy rain, Viso covered a number of laps in wet conditions familiarising himself with the car.

Commenting on the experience of driving a Formula One car for the first time, Viso said: "I really enjoyed my first time at the wheel of a Formula One even though the wet conditions limited my running time and dictated my programme."

"The performance of these cars is phenomenal - particularly the braking. I was pleased that I was able to adapt quickly and get into a comfort zone in the wet. It was also good to get to know the team and work with a number of the crew who will be in Brazil."

Spyker MF1 team principal Colin Kolles was delighted with Viso's performance. He said: "Ernesto did very well today. The conditions were not great but I understand that he handled the car well and his feedback to our test engineers was excellent. He has helped Spyker MF1 Team with some important development work that we were undertaking."

"I have watched Ernesto closely in GP2 this season and have been very impressed with his performances, I look forward to seeing him drive at Interlagos and have little doubt that he is ready for the challenge."

Looking ahead to his Friday testing role at the Viso added: "I can't wait to mix it with the established guys in Formula One at Interlagos. I recognise that the role of the Friday driver is vital. My objective is to make a valued contribution to the efforts of the Spyker MF1 team in setting up the car and preparing it for qualifying and the race."

"I have never raced in Interlagos, but I will arrive early in the week to familiarize myself with the track and study a maximum of data with my engineer. My aim is to secure a challenging role with a Formula One team in some capacity in 2007 so I'm setting out to impress."

Twenty-one year-old Viso, born in Caracas, competed in the 2006 GP2 Series, the Formula feeder league, with the I-sport International team finishing sixth in the championship with two race wins (14 top 10 finishes).

-credit: ck