Friday role not yet certain for Lotus’ Fauzy

It is still yet to be confirmed that Fairuz Fauzy will be at the wheel of a Lotus on Friday morning practice for next week’s Malaysian grand prix, or in Melbourne later this week.

Team boss Tony Fernandes said before the 2010 season opener two weeks ago that the Malaysian test driver will be in action in Bahrain practice.

But the 27-year-old did not appear in the green Cosworth-powered car, perhaps so that racers Heikki Kovalainen and Jarno Trulli could concentrate on learning the new track layout.

Fernandes said earlier this month that Fauzy will also drive in Melbourne and then a week later at Sepang.

A Lotus spokesman did not return an email requesting confirmation of the Malaysian-backed team’s immediate plans for Fauzy.

But a report in Finland’s Turun Sanomat, a publication with sources close to Lotus driver Kovalainen, said it is "probable" that Fauzy will be in action in Malaysia next Friday morning.

"I don’t know anything and I have not asked about it," said Kovalainen, explaining that the decision would not overly disrupt either his of teammate Trulli’s race weekend preparations.

"If it is important to the team to give him some kilometres, it should definitely be done," he continued. "This is a Malaysian team and Fauzy is a Malaysian driver."