• News

Sakon Yamamoto gets Virgin role

ESPNF1 Staff
March 23, 2011 « FREE Fantasy Formula One | »
Sakon Yamamoto brought funding to HRT last season © Sutton Images
Enlarge
Related Links

Sakon Yamamoto has been named as the Virgin reserve driver for the first three races of the season.

Virgin team principal John Booth said that Yamamoto's role would be as a backup driver, with Timo Glock scheduled to return to the car in Melbourne this weekend following surgery. "Sakon will spend the weekends observing the race drivers and attending all engineering meetings to ensure he is up to speed should there be an occasion where a last minute substitution is required," Booth said.

Yamamoto said he was pleased to be joining the team, having endured a difficult few weeks following the disaster in Japan.

"I am pleased to work with Marussia Virgin Racing in Australia," Yamamoto said. "I really appreciate them giving me a chance to be here. The team has made a big step forward this year and I believe that I can contribute to their car development through my experience. As everyone is aware it is a very difficult time in Japan right now and any good news is much welcomed. I hope the people back home will feel positive about my latest F1 role as I would like to do everything possible to help them."

Yamamoto contested seven races for HRT last season having taken over from Karun Chandhok at the British Grand Prix, and has also previously driven for Spyker and Super Aguri.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
ESPN Staff Close