Jaime Alguersuari and Lucas Di Grassi new Pirelli test drivers

The Spaniard Jaime Alguersuari and the Brazilian Lucas di Grassi will be the two new Pirelli test drivers for the 2012 season, the second in Formula One for the single tire supplier.

For the first time, Pirelli will have two permanent test drivers available, after di Grassi held the role alone last year. The Brazilian will continue to provide his valuable feedback following the experience gained in 2011, while Alguersuari will make his knowledge of the latest generation of Formula One cars available.

In the four development test sessions scheduled this year in Jerez, Spa, Monza and Barcelona, ​​which follow a first test of the GP2 which concluded yesterday in Jerez, both drivers will drive the new single-seater made available by Pirelli for the tests, the Renault R30 from 2010.

The tests will be aimed not only at the design of the 2013 range of Pirelli tyres, which will have new compounds and new structures, but also at the development of the current compounds which could debut in the second part of the season.

Di Grassi and Alguersuari will share the duties of leading the program of the four tests which will take place between May and September, which will be defined by Pirelli in the coming weeks.

Alguersuari, who competed in 2009 Grands Prix between 2011 and 46, said: “I am really very happy that Pirelli has offered me this fantastic opportunity. A week ago it was my 22nd birthday and Pirelli chose the best gift I could have had. I can't wait to start this important and challenging work of developing new tyres. I have a great desire to get back behind the wheel of a Formula One car and return to racing, so this is an exceptional opportunity for me."

Di Grassi, who ran 18 races for Virgin Racing in 2010, was Pirelli's test driver throughout the 2011 season, completing five test sessions with the Italian manufacturer. The 27-year-old commented: “I am happy to be able to continue my collaboration with Pirelli for another year, after a very successful first season. Last year, we learned a lot together and so we are both very happy to continue this work. This is a good opportunity for me to continue the work started last year, being able to compare and contrast the tires tested so far. These tires have become a fundamental element for Formula One.”

Pirelli Motorsport Director Paul Hembery concluded: “Our commitment to helping create a great spectacle in Formula One is underlined by the fact that this year we have chosen two extremely fast and talented test drivers. Lucas will be the reference for the development program we have implemented so far, while Jaime will bring an additional element thanks to his racing and on-field experience. We will use both drivers for all our single-seater testing activities, including those relating to GP2 and simulator development. Their input and expertise will help us make further progress during the season, improving racing tires and new technologies that could be transferred to road products in the Premium sector. In light of the fact that young drivers today have few opportunities to drive a Formula One car, this represents a great opportunity for Jaime and Lucas, not only to hone their testing and development skills, but also to possibly follow the 'example of our former test drivers, such as Romain Grosjean, Pedro de la Rosa and Nick Heidfeld, returning to F1."