Gustav Malja will fulfil a lifetime ambition when he takes to the track for the Sauber F1 Team during the post-Hungarian Grand Prix test at the beginning of August, his first outing in a Formula 1 car.
The Swedish driver currently races for Racing Engineering in the FIA Formula 2 Championship and secured his first podium for the team in Monaco last weekend, and will take control of the C36-Ferrari during one of the two test days on August 1-2.
“The prospect of driving a Formula 1 car is exceptionally thrilling, and a childhood dream come true,” said Malja. “I can’t wait to experience that sensation; I’m sure it will be a very surreal moment.
“I will do everything in my power to make the most of the test day and learn as much as I possibly can. Wholehearted thanks to the Sauber F1 Team for giving me this fantastic opportunity.”
Sauber Team Principal Monisha Kaltenborn says Malja has been showing good signs of progress in Formula 2 this season, and in the GP2 Series at the back of 2016, and it will be a good opportunity for the twenty-one-year-old to show what he can do in Formula 1 machinery at the Hungaroring.
“It will be a great opportunity for Gustav to make another step in his racing career and to fulfil his childhood dream,” said Kaltenborn. “Driving a Formula 1 car for the first time is always a special moment for race drivers – and so it is for Gustav.
“We have followed him throughout the past years, especially last year in the GP2 Series where he constantly made progress.”
