Gutierrez ‘grateful’ for Ferrari learning experience

Esteban Gutiérrez says he feels very privileged to have been given the opportunity to learn from the best at Ferrari, as he prepares to return to a fully-fledged role with Haas F1 Team.

Following two seasons at Sauber, the Mexican joined the Scuderia as test and reserve driver last winter. Gutiérrez admitted that accepting Ferrari’s offer was a “big risk” for his career but the gamble eventually paid off with the 24-year-old earning a promotion to the new US outfit.

“I feel very grateful for this amazing opportunity to [have been] with Ferrari,” Gutiérrez said. “It has been a very long season, but at the same time it went by very quickly.

“I have learnt many things from a lot of very good guys in the team, best mechanics, best engineers, two world champions like Sebastian [Vettel] and Kimi [Raikkonen], the best team principal, Maurizio [Arrivabene], and I really want to thank them because they have opened the doors for me to be part of it as a third driver, to contribute as well and to take the most of my experience.

“Now I have a big challenge ahead, that I’m much looking forward to.”

Gutiérrez will join forces with ex-Lotus ace Romain Grosjean and race for the first American squad to enter Formula One since 1986. While the Frenchman has 10 podium finishes to his name, the inaugural GP3 Series champion is confident he too can help steer Haas in the right direction.

“I believe that I can contribute a lot with my experience, my knowledge of the development of the engine, the gearbox from 2012 to 2013, 2014 when the rules changed dramatically.

“How it developed from 2014 to 2015, I’ve always been driving Ferrari engines so I know all the procedures and everything. I think it’s a very important thing to have.”

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