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GP3 driver Ellinas to test for Marussia in 2013

Tio Ellinas won the last race of the 2012 GP3 Series at Monza © Sutton Images

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• Drivers:
• John Booth

• Teams:
• Manor

Tio Ellinas has been awarded with a Marussia test drive next year after finishing as the highest-placed Marussia Manor Racing driver in GP3.

Ellinas finished eighth overall in the GP3 standings and won the final race of the year at Monza. He scored more points that team-mates Dmitry Suranovich and Fabiano Machado and therefore was awarded the drive at 2013's Young Driver Test.

"Our Young Driver Programme is a significant component of our team and has been since our inception," Marussia team principal John Booth said. "It is very important to us to not only provide opportunities for the current crop of drivers, but also to nurture the next generation of rising stars.

"Whilst we are incredibly focused on the operations of the Marussia F1 Team at grands prix, it is second nature to us to watch with interest the very exciting and encouraging performances we see in the support formulae. Tio has done a superb job all season and thoroughly deserves the opportunity of an F1 Test."

Ellinas added: "It was fantastic to win my first race last weekend at Monza. It has been a tough season, but I have learned a lot and it culminated in the success of the weekend at an amazing circuit. It doesn't quite seem real that I'm going to get my first F1 test; it is something I have always dreamed of since I was a child.

"The test should come after the season next year, so I will be well prepared for it. I have got a lot of work to do before then though, so I will keep my head down over the winter and work hard to prepare for the 2013 season. I really want to thank the Marussia F1 team for this amazing opportunity."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.