Home Formula 2 Rossi absent from first GP2 test as Caterham field Ma, Canamasas

Rossi absent from first GP2 test as Caterham field Ma, Canamasas

by Peter Allen

Photo: Malcolm Griffiths/GP2 Series Media Service

Alexander Rossi will be absent from this week’s opening GP2 Series pre-season test after Caterham Racing opted instead to field Ma Qing Hua and Sergio Canamasas.

American Rossi, a member of the Caterham F1 team?s driver development program, was expected to step up to GP2 with the outfit after testing with them at the end of 2012.

The team however will run Chinese driver Ma and Spaniard Canamasas at the three-day test in Spain that begins on Tuesday. It says they will confirm their 2013 race line-up in due course.

Ma spent 2012 with the now defunct HRT team in F1, contesting four FP1 sessions, while Canamasas contested the last five weekends of the GP2 season with the Lazarus team.

?We are delighted to welcome both Ma and Canamasas to our team for the first test of the 2013 GP2 season,? said team manager Phill Spencer. ?Both drivers have lots to offer and we look forward to working with them and helping develop their skills in the GP2 car.?

Ma added: ?I am looking forward to testing with Caterham Racing in Jerez next week. This will be my first time in a GP2 car and it is a great opportunity for me to learn the car and work with such a professional team.?

Canamasas added: ?I am very happy to test with Caterham Racing in Jerez and I am looking forward to it. My target will be to develop the car and to show good performance. We are going to put everything in to the test and I feel sure that the preparation I have done over the last three months will show.?