Dec.2 (GMM) New F2 champion Andy Soucek has staked a claim for a 2010 formula one race debut by outpacing eleven other young hopefuls as the Jerez test began on Tuesday.
At the wheel of a Williams, the 24-year-old was quicker than likely 2010 Force India reserve driver Paul di Resta, who is currently a Mercedes driver in DTM, as well as the seasoned McLaren test driver Gary Paffett.Among those also circulating at the Spanish circuit on Tuesday were (in order of pace) Red Bull's likely 2010 reserve driver and new British F3 champion Daniel Ricciardo, and the highly-regarded new F3 Euroseries champion Jules Bianchi, who was driving a Ferrari.The New Zealand press, meanwhile, was hard on its 20-year-old Brendon Hartley, who after a spin and the slowest time of the day was immortalised with the headline 'Hartley bombs out'.The Spanish Austrian Soucek, however, said after Tuesday's running: "I think I deserve a seat in formula one next year.""I am speaking with teams," the Spanish daily AS quoted him as adding, amid suggestions he is well backed by sponsors.
