Formula1: Russian-owned Marussia sign female test driver

The Russian-owned Marussia F1 team has hired Maria de Villota from Spain as a test driver, and she will drive the car at the Abu Dhabi test in November, the team announced on Wednesday.

De Villota tested a Lotus Renault car in 2011 in France, driving the car for 300 kilometres. She also competed in series including Formula Palmer Audi and Spanish Formula Three, seen as gateways to F1.

«This is a fantastic opportunity to work closely with a Formula One team and gain important experience to help me progress my career, including the chance to drive the new car later in the year at the Abu Dhabi test,» the female driver told the official Marussia website.

«I will be joining the team trackside so I’m looking forward to working alongside them at the first race next weekend and this can only help my future ambition to step up to Formula One racing,» she added.