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Virgin signs Pic for 2012

Charles Pic took part in the Young Driver Test for Virgin © Sutton Images

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• News:
• D'Ambrosio eyes F1 future
  

• Drivers:
• John Booth
• |
• Jérôme d'Ambrosio
• |
• Timo Glock
• |
• Charles Pic

• Teams:
• Manor
• |
• Virgin

Virgin has confirmed Charles Pic will drive for the team alongside Timo Glock next season, meaning Jerome d'Ambrosio is currently without a seat for 2012.

Over recent weeks it was rumoured Pic was close to securing a deal, and on Sunday evening after the Brazilian Grand Prix the team confirmed the news. Pic tested for the team at the Young Driver Test in Abu Dhabi and comes to Formula One on the back of a fourth-place finish in the GP2 Series this year.

"I'm very pleased to welcome Charles to Marussia Virgin Racing as Timo's team-mate for 2012," team principal John Booth said. "We naturally keep a close eye on the junior formulae and Charles is certainly someone we have been watching over the past few years. The real barometer however was our Young Driver Test in Abu Dhabi last week, where we put him through a series of tough tests to thoroughly evaluate his potential. This was his first time in a Formula One car so it should have been quite daunting, however Charles was extremely focused on what needed to be done and absolutely rose to the challenge. He continued to improve in every area but his race simulation work particularly caught our eye.

"Winter testing will be upon us before we know it, so it is actually a relatively short space of time ahead with a lot for Charles to get used to, but he is an extremely determined young guy and he worked very well with the team last week. He has an extremely mature head on young shoulders, so I have no doubt that he will be working very hard over the winter to prepare for his debut season.

Pic added: "I'm very happy to be making the step up to Formula One with Marussia Virgin Racing. As a driver you always feel you are ready for the next opportunity but in Abu Dhabi last week it was a tough test. The team gave me some fantastic opportunities to learn new things but I also knew that I had to impress them and show them I was ready to do a good job. I was pleased with my performance, and obviously the team were too, so a very good start but this is just the beginning and I know that a lot of hard work is ahead of me to reward this chance.

"I like the team a lot; we worked well together in the test and I feel very comfortable. They want to do things the right way and I can see that there is a lot of determination to succeed, so it is very special for me to be part of that. I'm looking forward to working hard in every area over the winter to ensure I am ready for the start of testing and my first Grand Prix."

Booth also praised d'Ambrosio for his season at the team: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jérôme D'Ambrosio for his hard work and important contribution to our team over the past 12 months or more. He has an exciting future to look forward to I'm sure and we wish him every success."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.