Jake Dennis has spoken of his surprise of his impromptu call-up to test for Aston Martin Red Bull Racing this season.
The British driver currently competes in both the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup, as well as the ADAC GT Masters.
He initially began his career as a result of being backed by the Racing Steps Foundation, winning races in European Formula 3 and GP3, ending his stint of single-seater racing at the end of 2016.
Dennis changed paths and moved to GT3 for the 2017 season, competing for the WTR team, joining Aston Martin‘s driver lineup earlier in 2018. Red Bull’s association with the British sports car manufacturer meant that he also took on a simulator role for the team as well.
The twenty-three year old, who was the 2012 McLaren Autosport BRDC Award winner, was then asked to test for Red Bull in Barcelona earlier this year at very short notice, first taking on the role in Barcelona, and then again in Hungary, due to the team’s junior driver, Dan Ticktum, not being allowed to drive.
“The two tests have been completely out of the blue for me,” said Dennis, speaking to Motorsport.com. “I didn’t expect it when I joined Red Bull and I don’t think they did either.”
“It’s a dream come true to drive 2018 F1 cars, everyone has said how incredible they are and they live up to that expectation.”
Dennis was placed third on the timing sheets, setting a time of 1:17.012, the lap being a tenth off of Red Bull’s fastest lap of the grand prix in Hungary, although it was set on ultrasofts.
“I enjoyed that, to push these cars to their limits was a great experience.”, added Dennis.
“It’s a phenomenal tyre, it’s incredible. I struggled a bit in the final sector, but sectors one and two…it’s insane what these cars can do.”
There were four other McLaren Autosport BDRC Award winners testing in Hungary alongside Dennis: George Russell, Lando Norris and Oliver Rowland.
