19/09/2010 – 2010 champion Stoneman looks forward to prize F1 test
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Dean: “Formula One is my dream and this brings me one step closer”
After clinching the 2010 Formula Two Championship in Valencia yesterday, Dean Stoneman is now looking forward to his prize test drive with the Williams F1 team later this year.
“It’s only just starting to settle in,” Stoneman said. “Getting into Formula One has always been my dream, and this just brings me one step closer.
“It’s hard to know what to expect but it’s obviously a fantastic opportunity to be testing a Williams Formula One car, so hopefully I can prove myself,” he added. “I’m just going to go there and do what I do best: get in the car and drive as fast as I can!”
Stoneman followed up his championship-clinching top ten finish in race one with a podium – his thirteenth this season – in today’s season finale, and the British racer is now starting to reflect on the achievement he has made in his debut F2 campaign.
“I didn’t expect to win it in my first year, but to be walking away with the championship is great,” continued Dean. “F2 is the highest class of car I’ve ever raced and this is the highest ranking I’ve ever been.”
Dean will be hoping to replicate the success of 2009 champion Andy Soucek, who topped the timesheets during his prize F1 test at Jerez, Spain last December – beating a host of talented and more experienced Grand Prix pilots including Force India reserve driver Paul di Resta and McLaren test driver Gary Paffett.