De Villota in talks for F1 test seat

Maria de Villota’s management is in talks to secure the 31-year-old a test driver seat in formula one.

The Renault team on Thursday confirmed reports the daughter of former Spanish F1 driver Emilio de Villota recently made her F1 test debut in a 2009 car at Paul Ricard.

Spain’s AS newspaper said it was the "beginning of a journey that could take Maria to the grands prix".

"The ultimate goal is to reach the grid and it’s a shorter term project than you might think," added the report.

De Villota is quoted as saying: "I’ve always wanted to reach formula one and after this test I know more clearly than ever that I can do it, I can drive a F1 car.

"Physically and as a driver I’m at my best, so I have to use it. We are working on it already. It will not be overnight, but we have to do it soon," she added.

Renault said di Villota completed 300 kilometres at a "very reasonable pace", with team boss Eric Boullier adding that she did not "put a foot wrong all day".