Carmen Jorda still awaits first F1 test

LONDON, England - Carmen Jorda says she's still on course to make her debut in a Formula 1 car... it's just the date she doesn't know.

The 27-year-old ex-GP3 driver and Spaniard has become a regular at grands prix meetings through 2015; she's a 'development driver' for Lotus but so far has not, well, actually driven the car.

HOLDING THUMBS

She did, however, write in a column for Spain's El Mundo newspaper: "I've a few days off in Valencia now before returning to work in the simulator next week. I must also keep training for my first test in an F1 car, which is moving closer with every day.

"I cannot tell you the date yet but hope I can give you some news soon."

Jorda also had words of encouragement for 2015 F1's two Spanish rookies, one of them Manor driver Roberto Merhi.

Jorda said: "'Teto' is doing a great job in F1. Under the pressure of facing each race without knowing if it will be his last, he is doing a very solid year despite his team's lack of resources. - I'm sure many teams will be taking note.

"As for Carlos Sainz, he is the revelation of the year. He almost always beats his team mate (Max Verstappen)."