F1: Clos handed Friday practice run

HRT has revealed that test driver Dani Clos will make his first appearance for the team on a race weekend with an appearance in Friday practice at Catalunya. Clos will sample the F112 for the first time in the opening session of the weekend when he replaces Narain Karthikeyan, meaning the team will field two Spanish drivers in a session for the first time in its short history. "I'm delighted to have this opportunity,” he said. “It's something I've fought for all my life; to make my debut in Formula 1 and, above all, to be able to do it at the Circuit de Catalunya which is something very special for me. Besides, I'm extremely lucky to be able to do it with a Spanish team, alongside another Spanish driver who I admire and at home. I can't ask for more! “It's the ideal situation and I'm proud to be where I am with the people who have always been with me and still are. I hope to extract a lot of data from this practice session, contribute with positive things to the team and do my job in the best way I can. I feel 100 per cent ready and I can't wait for the moment I step into the car and hit the track.” Team principal Luis Perez-Sala said he was pleased to give Clos – who is again racing in GP2 this season – the opportunity to make his first appearance on an F1 weekend. "I'm very proud and happy that this moment has arrived and that we've given Dani the chance to get in the car on Friday's first free practice session at such a special and important Grand Prix as is a home Grand Prix” he said. “In this first contact he will drive next to Pedro de la Rosa and will have the chance to drive the new F112 for the first time. “It's an important session given the short amount of time on track that we have and more so when you take into account the various aerodynamic upgrades which we have brought. Dani is a great driver and I have no doubt that he will do a good job. Besides, this debut also represents another step forward in our desire for HRT to serve as a platform for young drivers to make it into F1.”