Lotus GP with Senna and Heidfeld at Jerez

After a summit meeting, Lotus decided… While Vitaly Petrov will participate in the first two practice sessions on behalf of Lotus, on Thursday and Friday, in Jerez, it will be the designated third driver from the official presentation, Bruno Senna, who will take the wheel of the R31 on Saturday and Sunday. However, the English team will also evaluate Nick Heidfeld with a view to potential promotion to the main driver role in case of Robert Kubica’s extended absence.

Lotus Grand Prix is therefore sticking to the strategy outlined earlier in the day by the big boss, Gérard Lopez: “Our strategy will be to allow a young driver to rack up the miles and prepare for the years to come. If Robert were to be absent for the entire season, then it would logically be a more experienced driver who would do the entire season, develop the car, and everything else.”

Nick Heidfeld, who had not wished to speculate on his chances of succeeding his former teammate, Robert Kubica, now has the opportunity to make a second comeback in less than six months after replacing Pedro de la Rosa at Sauber for the last 5 Grand Prix of the 2010 season. “Quick Nick” will, however, have to prove himself, even though the vast majority of experts have already considered him the frontrunner to replace Robert Kubica on short notice since Sunday.

Bruno Senna, for his part, has the opportunity to show what he is capable of after a lackluster season driving an underperforming HRT in 2010.

The exact schedule of these two drivers will be revealed on Friday.