Rossi seeks trouble-free debut

As he prepares to become the first US driver to take part in a grand prix weekend since Scott Speed at the 2007 European Grand Prix, Alexander Rossi has admitted the main goal ahead of his FP1 debut in Spain is simply “to not make any mistakes”.

Rossi, currently racing for Arden Caterham in the Formula Renault 3.5 series, also fills the role of test driver at Caterham F1 and in the first practice session ahead of this weekend’s Spanish GP the Californian will take Heikki Kovalainen’s place at the wheel of the team’s CT01 car. It will be the first time Rossi has driven for the senior Caterham team since last year’s young driver test in Abu Dhabi.

"I am really looking forward to getting back into the Caterham F1 car this weekend on a circuit I know very well. This will be my first Friday drive and my first time in the CT01 chassis,” he said. “I want to thank Tony Fernandes and the whole team for the chance to run in FP1 in Barcelona.

“I have a clear goal for the practice session,” he added, “and that’s to make sure I run to the plan set by the engineers, not make any mistakes and learn as much as I can over the whole weekend as I take the next step in my career."

Caterham Technical Director Mark Smith said Rossi was ready for the challenge. "We are all looking forward to giving him the chance to work with us at a full race weekend,” he said. “He did a good job in Abu Dhabi when we ran him in the young driver test in 2011 and I am sure he will perform well for us on Friday in Spain."