Lotus' new development driver

A few weeks ago, Lotus annouced the decision to give the role of development driver, Carmen Jorda, who was driving in GP3. A choice which, in one hand, was putting for the second time -after Susie Wolff- a woman behind an F1 streering wheel, and in the other hand, was rather disputed.
Nowadays, the team divulges a new driver who is join the team of development drivers in addition of Jorda and Jolyon Palmer: Adderly Fong.

The 25 years old driver is currently racing in GP3 Series, and will continue (in GT Asia too) at the same time as his role in Lotus.
The Chinese started his career in motorsports in 2006 in Formula V6 Asia. He has his best success when he was racing for Audi R8 LMS Cup China, let him raise the champion cup in 2013, the same year he has joined GP3 Series. He participated in 24h du Mans in 2014 without outstanding results, he was classified 12th.
But Fong is not a stranger, he dealed with Formula 1 in Sauber's team, firstly in private testing with the 2012 car, and futher, last season in Abu Dhabi in free pratices.

With three development drivers, Lotus has and "aggressive development programme" as said Lotus CEO Matthew Carter. He added that " with the E23 so [Fong] will be able to both learn from our engineers and race drivers as well as contribute to our car through the course of the season."
"We have a very strong driver line-up which Adderly will join so he has a great opportunity to learn ahead of him. We are committed to moving back up the competitive order and Adderly's work behind the scenes will be invaluable in assisting us to achieve this."

Lotus said his deal would involve "a driver development programme as well as contributing to the team's simulator work"

Adderly Fong takes this decision as a great opportunity to futher his racing career and explains: "I'll be able to learn how an F1 team operates during race weekends as an integral part of the team and these invaluable experiences are going to lay the foundations of my future development as an F1 driver."
The driver is glad by that experience and adds: "I am happy but I am not going to get carried away, for this is only the first of many steps. I aim to become the first Chinese driver to complete in a Formula 1 Grand Prix which will assist to promote the sport in China and also in Hong Kong. There is a great potential for me with Lotus F1 Team so I can't wait to get underway in my new role."

(Picture from Lotus site)

Angélique BELOKOPYTOV