GP2 Series champion Jolyon Palmer has been announced as the Lotus F1 Team’s third and reserve driver for the 2015 season.
The British driver will attend all 20 races and tests this season in his role, as well as taking part in a “significant” number of free practice one sessions.
The 24-year-old won the 2014 GP2 title in record-breaking fashion, with the greatest amount of points scored in a season (276) and the most consecutive points finishes (19).
Speaking about the role, Palmer believes it will give him the best opportunity of securing a competitive full-time race seat in F1 for 2016.
“I’m delighted to be moving into F1 with Lotus F1 Team this year as Third Driver and I’m very grateful for the opportunity they have given me.
“My goal has been to become a race driver in a competitive F1 team for 2016 and Lotus F1 Team is a great opportunity for me, particularly with Mercedes engines now. To be able to learn with a major F1 team by working closely with them in every area and getting a lot of mileage in the car is the best way possible, as Valtteri Bottas proved.
“I am delighted to be joining Lotus F1 Team at such an exciting time and my objective is to earn a long term future with them.”
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