![\"John-Booth-Maria-de-Villota\"](\"https:\/\/www.racinginfocus.com\/rif\/gallery\/f1-2012-rif-images\/f1-12-people\/John-Booth-Maria-de-Villota.jpg\")
She subsequently admitted, however, that – despite travelling to all the grands prix with the former Virgin team this year – she is “not the reserve driver”.<\/p>\nMaria de Villota is not ruling out appearing during a Friday morning practice session some time in 2012.<\/p>\n
The 32-year-old Spaniard made international headlines in March when she signed with Marussia as a test driver.<\/p>\n
She subsequently admitted, however, that – despite travelling to all the grands prix with the former Virgin team this year – she is “not the reserve driver”.<\/p>\n
De Villota, whose father Emilio is a former F1 driver, also clarified in March that she is not contracted to practice on Friday mornings.<\/p>\n
But she is not ruling it out now.<\/p>\n
“It depends on the team,” she told the Spanish news agency EFE.<\/p>\n
“I am trying to do all my duties well so that they are happy with me.\u00a0 And I think they are,” said de Villota.<\/p>\n
“But the car is new and the drivers need the miles to develop it.\u00a0 So it’s up to the team (to decide).<\/p>\n
“Hopefully it will happen soon, but what happens this year will happen.\u00a0 There may be surprises, but for now I am getting to do a lot of work in the simulator.”<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, she made a bold prediction when asked which team she tips to win the so-far unpredictable 2012 championship.<\/p>\n
“I think that McLaren is very strong,” said de Villota.<\/p>\n
The last female driver to take part in official grand prix sessions was the Italian Giovanna Amati, who failed to qualify for three races in 1992.<\/p>\n
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