Trident praises 'excellent' Robin Frijns following GP2 test debut

The 2012 Formula Renault 3.5 champion - who is currently without a race deal for 2013 - spent all three days driving for the Italian team.

Frijns was a regular top 10 runner throughout the test, and the Italian squad believes that the way he got up to speed with the car showed his potential.

Team owner Maurizio Salvadori said: "From the beginning, Robin demonstrated that he was able to obtain excellent results.

"It is important to underline that he was one of only two 'debut' drivers at this test with zero experience of the GP2 car and therefore the management of the Pirelli tyres.

"As we all know, this car is particularly demanding and it is renowned how fundamental the management of the tyres are in order to stay in the top 10."

Salvadori added that Frijns performed even better than the headline times from Jerez suggested.

"Robin immediately demonstrated a great ability to adapt and quickly obtained very satisfying results showing his great potential," he added.

"All in all, it is important to highlight that on equal terms with the other drivers with used tyres, he was always in the first positions."

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News editor Glenn Freeman

Ahead of his first taste of a GP2 car Robin Frijns was adamant that he was unlikely to shine at Jerez this week.

Even though he has won his last two championships (Formula Renault Eurocup and FR3.5) as a rookie, he claimed that he had no reason to believe he had any particular skill set when it comes to learning about a new car.

"I never say I'm going to be quick in a new car, because I don't think like that," he said. "Everyone tells me GP2 takes time to learn so I don't expect to be near the top of the times."

However, he was in the thick of things all week. Trident is a good team on its day, but this winter it is trying to make up lost ground after a season with a weak driver line-up meant it scored just 34 points (teams' champion DAMS scored 342).

The current GP2 chassis/tyre model doesn't suit newcomers, and knowing that, Frijns did his homework before this test. He spoke to anyone he could about how difficult it is to adapt to GP2 and he was happy to play down his chances of making an impression.

Trident's positive comments towards the Dutchman will, of course, also be partly motivated by its hope that he can raise the budget required to land a GP2 race seat this year. But he clearly left an impression on the team.

Sauber is also keen for him to race on the F1 support bill. Now he has proven that he can get the hang of GP2, it's time to see if a deal can be thrashed out.