Sidepodcast

Who Are They, Anyway - BMW Young Drivers

We are continuing the series looking into the profiles of the young drivers taking part in this week's Jerez test. Despite the fact that the future of the team is in rather a lot of doubt at the moment, Mario Theissen confirmed that BMW would honour their promise to their Formula BMW winners that they would get a test.

Alexander Rossi

• Age: 18
• Nationality: American
• F1 Experience: None
• Notable Achievements: 3rd and 1st in Formula BMW Americas 2007, then 2008, 4th in International Formula Master 2009

Rossi won the Formula BMW Americas championship in style in 2008, taking the trophy in ten of the fifteen events. He moved on to race in the International Formula Master series this year, which I have never heard of. If anyone can tell me what that is about and if it's any good, that would be helpful!

Rossi is currently racing for Ocean Racing Technology in the GP2 Asia Series, but no doubt is keen to move up to Formula 1.

He is down on the schedule for the first day of testing in Jerez.

Esteban Gutiérrez

• Age: 18
• Nationality: Mexican
• F1 Experience: None
• Notable Achievements: 1st in Formula BMW Europe 2008, 9th in F3 Euroseries 2009

Gutiérrez won the Formula BMW championship in 2008, and in doing so he took the record for the youngest Mexican to win an International Championship. In the F3 series, he raced alongside Jules Bianchi for ART Grand Prix and managed to grab two podiums during the 2009 season.

To prepare for this F1 test the 18 year old took part in a recent GP test at Paul Ricard and he believes the 71 laps and high G forces helped with his training.

Esteban will be testing on the second day of testing in Jerez, and at the moment, it looks like BMW won't be represented on the third day.