Liam Venter to fly flag for South Africa on debut Auto GP test

Liam Venter will make his maiden outing in an Auto GP World Series car at Jerez in Spain next week.

Liam, who has been competing in the 2013 European Formula 3 Open championship this season with Team West-Tec, and who recently became the first South African single-seater driver to stand on the podium at Monza since Jody Scheckter back in 1979, will run with Virtuosi Racing.

He is currently the only South African scheduled to take part in the two-day test, which will run from Monday October 28 to Tuesday October 29.

"I'm definitely looking forward to the test, and I can't wait to get in the Auto GP car and fire it up!" said Liam, who as usual will sport Proudly South African and powered by Scala logos.

"I feel well prepared both mentally and physically. I have gained a lot this year with Team West-Tec and feel I have really progressed. My main goal in this test is to learn as much as I can and to just enjoy every second of it, especially as the Auto GP single-seater has so much more power than my F3 car."

"I'll be sure to give it everything I have and then see where we are come Tuesday," added the Accelerate Driver Development Ltd (ADD)-affiliated youngster.

Graeme Glew, Director, Accelerate Driver Development Ltd (ADD), meanwhile, believes Liam is ready to move on from F3.

"Liam's rapid progress in motorsport has been inspiring. He has learnt such a lot this year in the European Formula 3 Open championship. I am convinced he will go well in the Auto GP World Series test in Jerez," Graeme commented. "Virtuosi team owner, Declan [Lohan] has been keeping an eye on Liam and is keen to get him in one of his cars.

"Liam is still only 18-years-old but he ticks all the boxes required for a top current day race driver."