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Lotus announces Calado extension

James Calado won two races in 2012 © Sutton Images

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• Drivers:
• James Calado

• Teams:
• Lotus GP

Lotus GP has announced it will retain James Calado for the 2013 GP2 season having seen Esteban Gutierrez progress to Sauber.

Calado finished fifth in the 2012 championship standings after failing to score in any of the final four races having suffered from illness in Singapore. It was still an impressive debut season in GP2 as he ended the year just 16 points behind his more experienced team-mate and as the top rookie, and Calado said that with the ongoing support of the Racing Steps Foundation he hopes to build on his success.

"I am absolutely delighted to receive the ongoing backing from the RSF that enables me to take part in this incredibly competitive championship again and even more so to do it with Lotus GP again," he said. "I feel privileged to be a part of this project and to have the support of great partners without whom none of this would be possible. In terms of speed, we showed in 2012 that we were right up there with pole positions and a couple of wins. Now I know the car, the tyres, and the team I'm expecting to be fast and to win as many races as possible. I'm looking forward to 2013 and I hope I'll improve after such a good year in 2012."

Team principal Frederic Vasseur added that the only target would be for Calado to win the championship.

"After an exceptional first year which was part of his continuity from GP3, James is a Lotus GP driver for the third consecutive year," Vasseur said. "This is a project that fits perfectly with the company, one of the missions being to assist drivers in climbing the motorsport ladder. In 2012, James had several achievements in GP2 and with the support of his environment, which allows us to work together harmoniously and confidently, we approach 2013 with one clear objective, to be champions"

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.