KENT racer Mike Conway has been named in Honda’s young driver programme which could see him on a Formula One grid next season.
The Sevenoaks racer has been named as one of two drivers for the Honda programme after its launch of the 2008 car this week.
Conway beat fellow GP2 racer Andi Zuber to the seat and joins Italian Luca Fillipi for the programme.
The former British Formula Three champion will now have a pivotal role in the team, testing the car four times over the course of the season in a bid to make it stronger and faster.
He believes the chance could land him a place in the team in 2009, as there are rumors that current driver Rubens Barrichello could leave at the end of this season.
Conway told Kent on Sunday: “I am very pleased they have chosen me to be part of their young driver development programme. This opportunity will allow me to get involved with an F1 team and help develop this year’s car.
“If I can do a good job and keep impressing everyone at Honda, I hope to be in line for the race seat in 2009.
“It has been really good working with the team in the last few weeks. I feel I have learnt a lot from Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello. In fact, Rubens has been a great help.
“His 16 years of experience has been a great tool for me to learn from. I get on well with Jenson and the whole team is very friendly.”
Conway tested the new car last week at Valencia and was impressed with the progress of the RA108 challenger.
He said: “It’s step forward from last year’s car, definitely. I have been out for a couple of runs in the new car and it was a fantastic opportunity for me to get another chance to test an F1 car.”
His main goal this season is to follow in the footsteps of Lewis Hamilton and clinch the GP2 crown, racing for new team Trident Racing.
He added: “This year I hope to have a shot at the GP2 title. Trident Racing are a very ambitious team and I think with them I will have a great chance. Obviously I have now learnt all the tracks so I will not be going in blind like I was last year.
“However, there is the brand new street circuit at Valencia, but it will be the same for everyone. I am excited to get the racing under way but we have got a lot of testing to do in February.”
POSTED: 03/02/2008 10:00:00
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