• Caterham news

Caterham names Rossi and Ma as reserves

Alexander Rossi also drove for Caterham at the Young Driver Test last year © Sutton Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• Drivers:
• Qing Hua Ma
• |
• Alexander Rossi

• Teams:
• Caterham

Caterham has named Alexander Rossi and Ma Qing Hua as its reserve drivers for the 2013 season.

Rossi has been with the team since 2011 and made his FP1 debut for Caterham at the Spanish Grand Prix last year. The team has announced that Rossi's role will include him "taking part in a number of FP1 sessions throughout the season"

"After many discussions this winter with Caterham F1 Team regarding my 2013 program, today's announcement brings me even closer to my goal of racing in F1," Rossi said. "2013 will be my third season with the Caterham family and I've built solid relationships within the whole team.

"My goal for the Friday practice sessions that I will drive this season is to fulfil the team's runplan for each session, work closely with everyone and learn as much as possible, always being ready for the next opportunity. As Caterham F1 Team's Reserve Driver I will attend all F1 events, allowing me to integrate fully within the team technically, commercially and from a sporting perspective in F1, best preparing me for the next step."

Ma was HRT reserve driver in 2012 and takes up a reserve role at Caterham alongside a GP2 drive for the team, and he will appear in FP1 at the Chinese Grand Prix.

"I am very excited about joining the Caterham family and would like to thank everyone at Caterham F1 Team and Caterham Racing for giving me the chance to race in GP2 and to extend my F1 experience," Ma said. "Both teams have everything they need to keep growing in the right direction and I am looking forward to playing an important role in helping them achieve what they've set out to do this year.

"I know the fans at home will be really excited to see me race in GP2 and with the F1 work I also have ahead of me, China can be proud that it continues to have a driver involved in motor racing at the very highest level."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.