Jan Charouz to make F1 debut with HRT in FP1 at the Brazilian Grand Prix

Czech driver Jan Charouz will be behind the wheel of the #23 F111 and partner Daniel Ricciardo for the first free practice session at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace. Charouz got his first taste of the F111 last week at the Young Driver Test in Abu Dhabi where he completed 56 laps, summing up a total of 311 kilometres and qualifying him for a Superlicence, which enables him to drive this week.

Jan Charouz

Photo by: DPPI

Jan Charouz:

“It’s a great feeling to be taking part in a Formula 1 free practice session. I will be driving for HRT F1 Team once again after testing with them last Wednesday in Abu Dhabi and obtaining my Superlicence which allows me to take part in the first practice session at the Brazilian Grand Prix. I am really happy to have this opportunity and would like to thank my father for his great support.

I can’t forget to also thank my sponsors who make this possible. I hope to do well in Brazil although I am aware that it will not be easy. Interlagos is a circuit I have never raced at but one that I have tried out on the simulator and really liked it there. Hopefully the difference in experience with my teammate isn’t too telling but, regardless, I will give it my best shot”.

Colin Kolles, Team Principal:

“Jan is an exciting up and coming driver as he proved when he drove for us at the Young Driver test last week in Abu Dhabi. He did a good job and completed more than enough kilometres in an F1 to be granted the Superlicence. He will step in for Tonio in FP1 as he looks to continue learning and I’m sure that he will be up to speed in no time. We are glad to give him the opportunity to make his Formula 1 debut and I’m sure that it will be a positive experience”.

Jan Charouz was born in Prague on the 17th of July 1987. He came through the ranks of the Czech karting scene before moving onto the Czech Touring Car Championships in 2002 where he would win his class becoming the youngest driver to do so.

In 2004 he moved to German Formula BMW, where he spent a year before making a move to Italian F3000. In 2006 the Czech driver won the F3000 International Masters Championship whilst also competing in A1GP for the Czech Republic.

For the following three years, Charouz competed in the Le Mans Series and 24H Le Mans race, achieving the 2009 Le Mans Series title. In 2010 he decided to gain experience in single-seater racing and joined the Formula Renault 3.5 World Series whilst also being included in the Renault F1 Driver Programme.