Caterham Racing sign Sergio Canamasas for 2013

Spanish racer Sergio Canamsas has today finalised a deal to contest the 2013 GP2 Championship with Caterham Racing.

In addition to his GP2 role Sergio will be Caterham F1 Team’s 2013 Development Driver and his duties will include F1 simulator work at Leafield Technical Centre, as well as straight-line aero testing for the F1 team.

The 24 year old drove for the team at both pre-season tests in Spain and performed consistently throughout. He will drive the number 14 Caterham Racing car in 2013 and partners GP2 rookie and Caterham F1 Team Reserve Driver Ma Qing Hua in the number 15 car.

2013 sees Sergio enter his first full season in GP2, having competed in ten races last year with the Venezuela Lazarus team. Sergio is familiar with the GP2 car and race setup, therefore the team has high expectations for him.

Sergio’s resume boasts seasons in World Series by Renault, European F3 and Spanish F3 and in 2013 he hopes to consolidate his experience and be a front runner in GP2.

Caterham Racing Team Manager Phill Spencer said: "We are very pleased to have Sergio driving for Caterham Racing and he brings some GP2 experience from the ten races he completed last year. We look forward to supporting him and see no reason why he cannot consistently score points following his performance on the final day of testing in Barcelona."

Caterham Racing Chief Engineer Humphrey Corbett commented: "I am happy that Sergio has signed to drive for the team and I feel that we did not see his full potential during the pre season tests. To some extent this was due to his uncertainty surrounding the season ahead, but once his decision was made, we saw a glimpse of the real Sergio as he consistently ran in the top five during the morning of the final day in Barcelona. Sergio has great potential and although he is still relatively inexperienced in GP2, he has a good feel for the car, provides valuable feedback and he has already built a good relationship with his engineer Patrick."

Sergio Canamasas said: "For me driving with Caterham Racing for a full season in GP2 this season is very exciting. My winter training means that I feel physically and mentally prepared and I will arrive in Malaysia in good shape. My work with the team in Jerez was a good opportunity to get to know everyone and work on the car setup. We found a good balance, and I feel I can still get more out of the car, which is very positive. I look forward to a competitive season in GP2 with Caterham Racing, so see you all in Malaysia."