Alfonso Celis Jr. says he is hoping for as much track time as possible after being promoted to the role of test driver within Force India.
Celis Jr. joined Force India at the end of 2015 in the guise of development driver, and received substantial running in the VJM09 across the course of 2016.
The Mexican youngster participated in four test days, along with six FP1 sessions at Grands Prix in Bahrain, Russia, Austria, Italy, Austin and Abu Dhabi.
Celis Jr. is optimistic for additional running in the VJM10 in 2017, the first of which will take place during testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on Wednesday.
“I’m involved in the testing programme, I will be the test driver,” he explained to Motorsport Week.
“I hope I get as much seat time as I can, with a new car, obviously the racing drivers need time in the car so it’s a bit of a compromise.
“But I hope I can get as much mileage as I can throughout the year, show the performance and help the team to build up the car and evolve it throughout the year.”
Celis Jr. also commented on the physical work he has been undertaking across the course of the winter.
“You truly never know how tough it’s going to get until you’re there,” he commented.
“So you pretty much push as hard as you can on the physical [side], it’s been a tough winter, I’ve been working out, so I think I’m in v good shape, we’ll see how the goes.
“I’ve been giving my best throughout the winter, I’m in really good shape, so I feel I’ve done my work.”
