Mar.25 (GMM) Davide Valsecchi has admitted he was disappointed to miss out on Team Lotus' Friday driving duties in Melbourne.

The Italian and GP2 driver was initially selected to drive in Jarno Trulli's car in initial practice, but Karun Chandhok was signed at the last minute.

Finland's Turun Sanomat reports that Valsecchi has now been promised a green T128 cockpit for first practice in Malaysia and China.

But he admits he was disappointed with the Chandhok news.

"It was all agreed and I flew such a long trip to Australia, so of course (I was disappointed)," he said.

"But the team felt this (Malaysia-China) is a better option for me, because Albert Park is not a good place for a newcomer."

Ultimately, Chandhok crashed Trulli's car within three corners of his out-lap early on Friday in Australia, and the team confirmed it had not been caused by a technical fault.

"Got the car back, a lot less damage than we expected so should be ready for Jarno in FP2," said Mike Gascoyne on Twitter.

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version