Jerez de la Frontera, Spain: Russian team Marussia confirmed on Wednesday that Brazilian Luis Razia will be their second driver for the upcoming 2013 Formula One season.
The 23-year-old, who was runner-up during the 2012 GP2 Series, will race alongside British teammate Max Chilton.
He carried out his first testing session just one hour after Marussia confirmed his drive for the upcoming campaign, which begins on March 17 in Melbourne.
“It’s fantastic to be back with the Marussia F1 Team and with pretty much the same group of people I worked with back in 2010 when I was reserve driver,” Razia told the Marussia website.
“I am very proud to take the step up to a Formula 1 race seat, particularly with the team I began this journey with, since they helped show me what it takes to progress to the highest level.
“The past two seasons in GP2 have been all about proving that I have what it takes and that I’m ready.
“I am also looking forward to the first race in Melbourne and I’m excited to be racing alongside Max, who I competed against last season.
Team boss John Booth is optimistic their new young line-up have the potential to make an impact.
“He is a very quick and tenacious driver who battled hard to the runner-up spot last year. Together with Max (Chilton), we are fielding a young but incredibly ambitious pairing and we look forward to seeing what they can achieve.”
The only remaining seat yet to be unveiled before the Australian curtain raiser is at Force India, where Scotland’s talented Paul di Resta awaits confirmation of his next teammate, although Frenchman Jules Bianchi is rumoured to be in the frame.
