Wednesday, October 10 2012

Newly crowned FIA Formula Two champion Luciano Bacheta will be given a Williams Formula 1 drive next week (18 October) at Silverstone, as part of his reward for winning the 2012 title.

The 22-year-old Brit, who led the championship from the start, secured the honours during a thrilling final showdown at Monza, edging out season-long rival Mathéo Tuscher to scoop the prize, together with FIA Super Licence eligibility - required to compete in Grands Prix.

In preparation for next week, Bacheta has already visited the team's headquarters in Grove, Oxfordshire to conduct simulator work before his takes to the Northamptonshire track.

"All year while I was leading the championship I was thinking that I could be driving a Grand Prix car so I've been training with F1 in mind," Bacheta said. "I've received a measurement chart for the race suit and we'll ramp up the preparation now. I'm so excited and I'm really motivated for it and even before I won the championship I thought I would be ready for it."

Bacheta will become the fourth F2 champion to drive Williams F1 machinery after previous champions Andy Soucek, Dean Stoneman and Mirko Bortolotti. He will also be driving at the circuit that brought him the first of his record-breaking four consecutive wins on his way to championship victory.

Full coverage of the day will be available on www.formulatwo.com