Full Throttle

The Senna name returns to Formula One this month when Bruno, nephew of the late three-time champion Ayrton, tests for the Honda Racing team.

The GP2 championship runner-up will join Honda for the team’s first test of the winter in Barcelona from 17 to 19 November.

The Brazilian, 25, will test this year’s RA108 as Honda evaluate him for a possible drive for the 2009 season.

The team are yet to confirm who will partner Jenson Button in 2009, with Rubens Barrichello’s future still in doubt.

“We are delighted to provide Bruno with the opportunity to test for us later this month as we continue to explore all the driver options available to us for next season,” said team principal Ross Brawn.

“After an impressive year in GP2 this will be a chance for Bruno to prove that he is ready to make the step up to Formula One.

“Our objective is to have the best drivers available to us next season and our evaluation of Bruno’s performance will be rigorous.

“We are looking forward to seeing how he performs. Over the next two weeks Bruno will be spending a lot of time with us at our Brackley base, working closely with our engineers and on the simulator to ensure he is fully prepared for this important test.”

Senna admitted he was delighted about the opportunity.

“I am obviously very excited about being given my first Formula One test and to have that opportunity with Honda is a dream come true,” he said.

“Although I am still only in my fourth year of motor racing, I have wanted to test an F1 car for a very long time and I feel that I am ready for that challenge.

“I have already spent some time at the factory in Brackley and have enjoyed meeting the team and working with the engineers to prepare for this test. Everyone has been very supportive and it is particularly special for me to have the chance to work with Ross Brawn.

“I’m excited about getting in the car in two weeks’ time but I know this is a big opportunity so I want to learn as much as I can before I get to Barcelona. I hope to show the team what I can do, so it’s up to me now to do a good job.”

OTHER TEST NEWS: Sebastien Loeb will test an F1 car again later this month, after he was handed the ‘prize’ by Red Bull, Citroen Sport’s partner, following his success on the Rally Japan, where he clinched the WRC drivers’ title for a record fifth time.

Loeb, who actually tested a Renault R26 last year, as part of a special promotional event organised by Total-Elf following the Rally GB, will join the Red Bull Racing team for the official F1 test on November 17 at the Circuit de Catalunya.

The Frenchman will get to drive an RB4 at the Spanish track, the same spec car as that used by Mark Webber and David Coulthard this season.