Toro Rosso has confirmed that Sean Gelael will participate in four practice one sessions for the remainder of this season. The driver, who is backed by the Indonesian branch of KFC, previously drove for the Red Bull Junior Team at F1’s in-season test at Hungary.
Sean Gelael to drive for Toro Rosso in four FP1 sessions
Gelael will make appearances at Singapore, Malaysia, USA and Mexico, and it is currently unknown if he will place Daniil Kvyat or Carlos Sainz Jr in each session. The Indonesian racer currently competes in Formula 2 for Arden, and has had a best finish of ninth place in 2017. This has left him in 17th in the Drivers’ Championship.
The 20 year old thanked Toro Rosso for the opportunity: “What an amazing opportunity,” he said. “First of all, I want to thank everyone who made this possible and most importantly for the belief they have shown in me. It is an honour to be driving in Formula 1, starting in Singapore and Malaysia, two venues that are so close to my home country, Indonesia.
“I will use the opportunity to absorb like a sponge everything I can and learn as much as possible. I hope I can do a good job for Scuderia Toro Rosso and provide the team with good data from these important first sessions.”
While four FP1 sessions is good for Gelael, one man who is missing out is Pierre Gasly – Red Bull Racing’s reserve driver who won the GP2 championship last season. Questions have to be raised as to why Gasly has not been given this opportunity instead, being backed by the energy drinks giant.
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