Johnny Cecotto Jr eyes 2011 Lotus test seat

The son of a former F1 driver is reportedly targeting a test driver seat with the Lotus team.

Venezuelan Johnny Cecotto, now 54, won the 350cc world motorbike class in 1975, before switching to two wheels and driving for the Theodore F1 team in 1983.

A year later, he was Brazilian rookie Ayrton Senna’s Toleman teammate.

His 21-year-old son Johnny Cecotto Jr, who was born in Germany, has been driving in GP2 this year and is linked with Lotus boss Tony Fernandes’ new Air Asia team for 2011.

According to Italy’s Autosprint magazine, that role could include a formula one test and reserve driver seat.

According to the Venezuelan news agency Agencia Venezolana de Noticias, Cecotta did not complete the 2010 GP2 season because he ran out of money.

But he and his father are in talks with F1 teams about 2011, the report agreed.

“In recent weeks I have had constant communications with the management of one formula one team who would have me for next season,” Cecotto Jr said.

“It’s an exciting proposal that would allow me to start as a test driver in November in Abu Dhabi.

“We are focused on putting together the budget that allows us to be not only a test driver in F1 but to also compete in GP2 with one of the top teams and fight for the win,” he added.

Cecotto’s sponsors include the Venezuelan telecommunications company CANTV.

 © RIF | GMM