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Renault hands F1 drive to Tung
Source: Agencies |
February 2, 2010, Tuesday
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TUNG Ho-Pin broke new ground with Renault on Sunday when be became the first Chinese driver to be named in a Formula One team lineup.
The Dutch-born 27-year-old, already the first Chinese national to drive a grand prix car, will be Renault's official third (reserve) driver this season. Tung will also be racing in the GP2 support series with the DAMS team in Renault colors.
"This step will be the breakthrough I think in terms of media attention, of interest," he said at the launch of the new Renault F1 car.
"I will be the first Chinese guy ever who is officially part of a Formula One team and that's going to be a big thing, I think. It's a very nice thing. China has had a race since 2004 but never had a Chinese involvement within a team. Now they have, and I'm really looking forward to it."
Tung first tested with Williams in December 2003 after winning that year's Asian Formula BMW series, and again with Renault late last year. He is managed by Gravity Sport Management, owned by Genii capital which recently bought a large stake in the Renault team, and had been linked to a possible race drive.
"As a driver you always want to race but in the end this is a fantastic opportunity," he said. "To be officially third driver is already a big thing. I am showing the world I am on the threshold of Formula One.
"I hope to gain as much experience as I can and gain a race drive in the near future."
Asked whether he might get a chance to drive in Friday practice in this year's Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, Tung said he would certainly be there.
"Never say no but for the moment that's not the case," he said of the possibility of a home track appearance.
Team principal Eric Boullier said it was unlikely to happen, given limited testing opportunities, but it depended on how the team performed.
"Depending on where we are standing on the grid, we can allow then a little bit more flexibility with our third drivers," he said.
Meanwhile, Vitaly Petrov left his Lada driving days far behind on Sunday when he signed with Renault as Russia's first Formula One racer.
The 25-year-old from Vyborg, near the Finnish border, was runner-up in last year's GP2 support series to Germany's Nico Hulkenberg, who makes his debut with Williams this season.
He will partner Robert Kubica, who became Poland's first Formula One driver with BMW-Sauber in 2006, at the former champions.
"You see my face? I am very happy," grinned the Russian, who signed the contract only hours before his new black and yellow car was unveiled in Valencia.
"It's brilliant. This is what I have been waiting for a long time. Now is a big explosion in Russia, all the television and newspapers," he added. "But you know what I did? I switch off the phone, and try to concentrate here on the team."
Media reports have suggested the Russian could bring around US$15 million of backing to Renault, the former champion which faced a big hole in its budget after losing title sponsor ING at the end of last season.
The Dutch-born 27-year-old, already the first Chinese national to drive a grand prix car, will be Renault's official third (reserve) driver this season. Tung will also be racing in the GP2 support series with the DAMS team in Renault colors.
"This step will be the breakthrough I think in terms of media attention, of interest," he said at the launch of the new Renault F1 car.
"I will be the first Chinese guy ever who is officially part of a Formula One team and that's going to be a big thing, I think. It's a very nice thing. China has had a race since 2004 but never had a Chinese involvement within a team. Now they have, and I'm really looking forward to it."
Tung first tested with Williams in December 2003 after winning that year's Asian Formula BMW series, and again with Renault late last year. He is managed by Gravity Sport Management, owned by Genii capital which recently bought a large stake in the Renault team, and had been linked to a possible race drive.
"As a driver you always want to race but in the end this is a fantastic opportunity," he said. "To be officially third driver is already a big thing. I am showing the world I am on the threshold of Formula One.
"I hope to gain as much experience as I can and gain a race drive in the near future."
Asked whether he might get a chance to drive in Friday practice in this year's Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, Tung said he would certainly be there.
"Never say no but for the moment that's not the case," he said of the possibility of a home track appearance.
Team principal Eric Boullier said it was unlikely to happen, given limited testing opportunities, but it depended on how the team performed.
"Depending on where we are standing on the grid, we can allow then a little bit more flexibility with our third drivers," he said.
Meanwhile, Vitaly Petrov left his Lada driving days far behind on Sunday when he signed with Renault as Russia's first Formula One racer.
The 25-year-old from Vyborg, near the Finnish border, was runner-up in last year's GP2 support series to Germany's Nico Hulkenberg, who makes his debut with Williams this season.
He will partner Robert Kubica, who became Poland's first Formula One driver with BMW-Sauber in 2006, at the former champions.
"You see my face? I am very happy," grinned the Russian, who signed the contract only hours before his new black and yellow car was unveiled in Valencia.
"It's brilliant. This is what I have been waiting for a long time. Now is a big explosion in Russia, all the television and newspapers," he added. "But you know what I did? I switch off the phone, and try to concentrate here on the team."
Media reports have suggested the Russian could bring around US$15 million of backing to Renault, the former champion which faced a big hole in its budget after losing title sponsor ING at the end of last season.
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