Senna next in line for Renault race drive

Bruno Senna insists he is first in line to take the wheel if Renault’s regular race drivers run aground in 2011.

In the Valencia pitlane on Monday morning, the Lotus-sponsored team unveiled the R31 and also a plethora of drivers, including ’third’ drivers Senna and Romain Grosjean and reserves Fairuz Fauzy, Ho-Pin Tung and Jan Charouz.

But it was Senna, whose late and legendary uncle Ayrton also drove in black and gold colours for the original Lotus team in the 80s, who claimed the high ground.

"If any of the other drivers happen to be poisoned or break a leg or something like that, then they may not know who’s to blame but they know who is going to replace him," joked the 27-year-old, according to Reuters.

For now, there are no plans for Senna to drive in the Friday morning sessions this year, but he is hoping the role - to include some straightline testing and attendance at all the grands prix - leads to a race return in 2012.

"It’s more important that I am going to be learning with them and potentially getting a chance to be in a great team," he said.