Palmer to make Lotus debut

© XPB 

Jolyon Palmer will drive for Lotus for the first time at the second pre-season test at Barcelona this week.

The GP2 champion tested for Force India during the Abu Dhabi test at the end of last season, but failed to secure a role with the team for 2015. He was subsequently named as third driver at Lotus, with Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado staying on in the race seats.

Lotus has now announced that Palmer will make his debut in the E23 during the second test, driving the car on Friday. Maldonado will drive on Thursday and Saturday, while Grosjean takes over for the final day on Sunday.

The test will only be Palmer's second run in a Formula One car, following his Force India test last year. The Briton beat McLaren young driver Stoffel Vandoorne and new Sauber driver Felipe Nasr to the GP2 title last season.

Feature: A closer look at the Lotus E23

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