It’s official – Mike Conway’s got a testing role with Honda, according to the team, which confirmed his selection earlier this month.
The new Trident Racing signing will be complete a GP2 season for that team – but will also contribute to a set number of days with Honda assigned by the FIA for evaluating new drivers while developing its new car.
He was selected for the 2008 Young Drivers’ programme alongside Luca Filippi from the GP2 team Qi-Meritus Mahara.
Conway said: “I am really pleased to be continuing my association with the Honda Racing F1 Team and very much looking forward to this year.
“I have already learnt so much from working with the team and it will be very rewarding to be able to contribute to the development of the car this year.
“I drove the RA108 in Valencia which was fantastic so I’m looking forward to the next opportunity.”
Trident team boss Alessandro Alunni Bravi added: “Young drivers know how difficult is to get in touch with a Formula One team, not only in terms of testing itself and getting a superlicence, but even in order to meet with the team’s representatives and try to earn some credit.
“Thanks to our experience in GP2 racing, we discovered that the most complicated issue for a youngster approaching Formula One is, apart from getting up to speed, having the right physical training and learn how to deal with the team’s technical staff.
“Trident Racing will work in that direction by using the same approach successfully tested in the GP2 Series.”
Ron Meadows, head of the Honda Young Driver Programme, said Conway had greatly impressed him with his performance and commitment.
“Honda takes its commitment to developing promising young talent in motor sport very seriously and we look forward to working closely with these young drivers and helping them to progress to the very highest levels of our sport.”