Portugal to host mid-winter test - McLaren and Honda get set to test, as Di Grassi hopes for a seat
Published by Christine
This is F1Minute for the 24th October 2008.
Both McLaren and Honda have today confirmed that they will be visiting a new track for some of their winter testing. The Autodromo Internacional Algarve in Portugal opens at the beginning of November, and the test will be in mid-December. According to Autosport.com, the track will be under evaluation as a possible entrant to the 2009 test schedule, and it’s no secret that officials will be looking to impress in the hopes of getting an F1 race held there in the future.
Elsewhere today, Lucas di Grassi believes there is a “good possibility” he could make the step up from Renault test driver to race seat in 2009. He says: “They have the possibility of extending my contract, so I am waiting for their decision to see if it will be with Renault or if I will have permission to negotiate with other teams".
Finally, McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh has been talking about the buildup to Brazil, and says that reliability is the main worry in the garage, that and the possibility of a safety car.
That’s it for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1Minute.
