Bruno Senna said his promotion to Renault’s race team “feels like Christmas” and vowed “I will not disappoint.”
In a press release issued by Renault he said: “I am delighted that Lotus Renault GP has offered me the opportunity to become their race driver.
“I’m very motivated to get behind the wheel of the R31. I’ve gained a lot of experience thanks to the time spent with the team this season, and the opportunities I’ve had of driving in Jerez, Duxford and recently in Budapest have whet my appetite to become a successful driver for Lotus Renault GP.
“I am both excited and nervous – it feels like Christmas and my toughest exam have both arrived on the same day! I am really thrilled and motivated to be getting in the car to race in F1 again, especially with such a big team.
“Getting back to racing is something I’ve been craving for a while, and it’s not often you get an opportunity like this with a team of this stature. I feel I am fully prepared to rise to the challenge, and I would like to thank the team for believing in me. I will not disappoint.”
During today’s pre-race press conference Senna revealed he will be driving for the team for the next two races at Spa and Monza.
Team principal Eric Boullier offered no explanation why Nick Heidfeld had been moved aside for Senna: “We are happy to provide Bruno with the chance to begin racing with Lotus Renault GP, starting at Spa-Francorchamps this weekend.
“He has proved himself to be an attentive member of the team since he joined almost seven months ago, and we are confident that he will demonstrate his ability alongside Vitaly.”
2011 Belgian Grand Prix
Image © Renault/LAT
Ben Everard
25th August 2011, 16:07
“I will no disappoint.”
Hmmm, tempting fate… I’m tempted to put £5 down at Ladbrooks that he ends up in the kitty litter before the end of the first lap :P
I’m in the “I feel sorry for Heidfeld” group, he’s not setting the time screens on fire… but money dictates Petrov’s seat is safe, right?
GeeMac (@geemac)
25th August 2011, 16:18
According to David Croft (via twitter), Petrov said in the press conference today something to the effect that he was glad “Bruno got a contract for the next two races”. Let’s wait and see how long Bruno will be in that seat.
pukz
25th August 2011, 16:22
nice encouraging team mate.
unocv12
25th August 2011, 16:25
Depends who you ask
Smart money says guarenteed till Monza, and till the end of the seaosn if the ‘legal issues’ go away.
Senna says that.
The team aren’t saying much
Their website says Heidfeld doesn’t exit
Heidfeld says he’s driving as soon as he gets his seat back
I’m guessing they want Senna for the rest of the seaosn so they can get a proper idea but Heidfel has launched legal proceedings against the team and given that is in 3 weeks (the week before monza and singapore), Senna only has 2 weeks guarenteed, after that it depends on who wins the legal case.
Renault wins and Senna driver, Hiedfeld wins and Heidfeld drives.
One would guess that after this dispute, renault wont renew his contract and no one else will hire Heidfeld without a favoured contract.
BasCB (@bascb)
25th August 2011, 19:50
this all feels a bit too much HRT chairdance to me.
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
26th August 2011, 7:56
Petrov may feel a little victimised, it could have quite easily been him making way for Senna.
Id like to think he kept his seat due to performance…
Joe
25th August 2011, 16:34
I think Grosjean will take over after Monza because we will have wrapped up the GP2 title then.. He deserves another go in an F1 car considering his last time was a back of the grid car against Fernando Alonso.
Kubica and Grosjean next year pleasee!
Fixy (@)
25th August 2011, 19:16
There’s no need to hurry. Renault need experience to take 4th place off Mercedes, why change drivers again? Heidfeld’s experience was useful, Senna can’t do much in two races.
Mike
26th August 2011, 8:34
That’s assuming that the rimors Kubica wants to come back for the last race are false.
As soon as Renault take on a “4th” driver, then Kubica is stuck waiting.
If I were Boullier and had a star of Kubica’s caliber, I’d make sure Kubica was giving any and all the options he’d like.
MaroonJack (@maroonjack)
26th August 2011, 10:29
I’d love to see Kubica and Grosjean in Renault, but it’s possible that Robert won’t be able come back to F1, this year or the next. In that case I’d pick Grosjean and Hulkenderg, Glock or Sutil.
Hulk’s and Grosjean’s achievements seem more impressive to me than both Vitaly’s and Bruno’s. Unfortunately Petrov and Senna bring money to the team, so better drivers have to be benched.
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
25th August 2011, 16:56
http://mimosart.com.br/blog2/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/GP_Belgica_pilotoons.jpg
BasCB (@bascb)
26th August 2011, 8:46
:-D
Osvaldas31 (@osvaldas31)
25th August 2011, 17:24
Senna-Lotus pairing really sounds nostalgic, though I have never seen Ayrton racing (I’m too young). Saying that Senna will race in Spa and Monza probably means, that in Singapore Grosean will get the oportunity.
montreal95 (@montreal95)
25th August 2011, 18:04
In the press conference Senna said that the intention is for him to drive until the end of the season, if legal issues are resolved. That says to me that it’s not Grosjean that is the “problem” for Bruno, it’s Heidfeld and his court case against Renault. We’ll see.
Lew Numba 1
25th August 2011, 17:44
I hope he can at least keep up with Vitaly.
Rich
25th August 2011, 19:44
As Vitaly is the fourth-most overtaken driver in the first half of the season Senna has high aspirations. I think Sauber and FIF1 are in with a chance to beat this team.
source: http://www.yallaf1.com/2011/08/10/webber-%E2%80%98king-of-the-overtakers%E2%80%99-so-far-in-2011/
Lucio Ghigna
25th August 2011, 19:45
Not sure about that.
Rich
25th August 2011, 19:54
Remember Force India almost won at Spa a couple of season back. If their (Lotus Renault) new developments are not successful they will lose ground to these other teams who have better drivers.
Rod
25th August 2011, 18:01
That rings some bells, the debut race for the greatest winner of F1 (Schumi), was in SPA.
Snow Donkey
25th August 2011, 18:50
Too bad it’s not his F1 debut. We’ll see how he goes.
Mike
26th August 2011, 8:35
If Senna really does well, how great will Chandok look eh?
Luis
25th August 2011, 18:37
I don’t understand Heidfeld. He was fired, just face it.
He can maybe ask for compensation for Renault breaking the contract. But not sue them to continue driving.
wasiF1 (@wasif1)
26th August 2011, 3:41
There it is if he don’t perform well in the next two races then Renault will replace him by someone else.
wasiF1 (@wasif1)
26th August 2011, 3:43
There it is if he don’t perform well in the next two races then Renault will replace him with someone else.
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
26th August 2011, 7:59
Wouldn’t put it past Boullier.
BasCB (@bascb)
26th August 2011, 8:46
I would not be suprised at all.
UKfanatic (@)
26th August 2011, 11:05
I’m sure he feels very fortunate, but is he going to deliver as promised? Petrov isnt impressing that much… I dont see that many russian sponsors neither I saw the “Cruzeiro do Sul” bank I think both could be richer boys.