Photo: Sam Bloxham/GP2 Series Media Service
Ferrari protege Raffaele Marciello will hold a test and reserve driver position at the Sauber F1 Team in 2015 alongside a second season in GP2.
The Italian made his official F1 test debut with Ferrari in Abu Dhabi in November, after finishing eighth in the GP2 standings with a feature race win at Spa. He won the FIA F3 European Championship in 2013.
?I am really pleased to become a member of the Sauber F1 Team, which has a long tradition of building up excellent drivers,” said Marciello, who was born in Sauber’s homeland of Switzerland.
“I really think that this is the best choice for my future career. I am also happy to compete for one more season in the GP2 Series, which, together with my new F1 role, will give me a very busy 2015 season. I want to thank the Ferrari Driver Academy for giving me this important opportunity, and now I really can?t wait to start delivering my best.?
Sauber team principal Monisha Kaltenborn confirmed that Marciello will get the chance to do free practice sessions for her team.
?We are pleased to announce Raffaele Marciello as our test and reserve driver for the 2015 season,” she said.
“He proved his great talent in junior formulas, and his season in the European Formula 3 Championship with 13 wins and the title victory was particularly impressive. We will give Raffaele the opportunity to become familiar with Formula 1, which also includes him taking part in some free practice sessions on Friday. It?s great for our team to be part of his way to Formula 1.?
It has not been announced which team Marciello will compete for in GP2 next year, after spending 2013 with Racing Engineering.