Virtuosi signs Andrea Roda for Auto GP
Leading Auto GP team Virtuosi UK has reached agreement for 2013 with Formula 3 racer Andrea Roda
Roda graduates from a year in the F3 Euro Series and FIA European F3 Championship with Jo Zeller Racing.
The 22-year-old from Como finished 13th in the Euro Series and 12th in the FIA standings, and is Virtuosi's first signing of 2013.
Virtuosi evaluated Roda in testing at Barcelona last December. Team owner Declan Lohan believes the 22-year-old has the potential for a successful graduation to its 540bhp Auto GP World Series car.
"We're very happy that Andrea picked us," said Lohan. "After the test we were confident we would be working together.
"We liked what we saw; Andrea proved to be a great listener and he liked our working methods."
Norfolk-based Virtuosi took GP2 refugee Pal Varhaug to the Auto GP runner-up position in last year.
Lohan explained that the team is looking forward to less fraught preparations for its 2013 season than its debut campaign.
"It's worth remembering that this time last year we were not even involved in Auto GP," continued Lohan.
"We secured two drivers at the last minute. After last year, and the success we had with Pal, I think people appreciate we are staffed by professional ex-GP2 mechanics and engineers and what we can offer."
Auto GP's 2013 season opener is scheduled to run alongside the World Touring Car Championship at Monza on 23-24 March.
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