Senna could become the 3rd driver again in 2012

Bruno Senna replaced Nick Heidfeld during the season, but he was not retained for 2012, as the Lotus Renault team preferred to hire Kimi Räikkönen and Romain Grosjean. Ayrton Senna’s nephew must therefore find a main driver role in another team or settle for the role of a third driver, which he is ready to accept.

Becoming a third driver would be similar to what some had this year by driving on Fridays. It allows you to be active and do something relevant for the team. It should be with the right team, but it could be an option (for 2012), Bruno Senna told Autosport.

Senna does not rule out staying with the Lotus Renault team – even though he may not necessarily have much track time since the team has hired two new drivers for 2012. Räikkönen will need to learn the updates in F1, particularly the tires, and Grosjean will also need to get accustomed to his new environment. Both men will therefore need as much time on the track as possible to get used to their cars.

There is still a chance (for me to stay at LRGP). I have a good relationship with the engineers and everyone on the team. But we should discuss the terms and see what else is on the market.

Eric Boullier, the director of the Lotus team, revealed that the Brazilian was an option for the role of third driver – the Brazilian would be in competition with Jérome d’Ambrosio and Maria de Villota among others.

« Bruno could be a possibility if he doesn’t find a seat elsewhere. He is very good at providing technical feedback, and we should see how to give him the opportunity to drive on Fridays. But we need to discuss it with the team because we have two drivers discovering the new regulations, » added the Frenchman.