Valsecchi returns to racing in GT Open

Former Lotus Formula 1 reserve driver and 2012 GP2 champion Davide Valsecchi will return to racing in the International GT Open series this year.

Valsecchi did not compete at all during 2013 as he focused on his Lotus role. That deal ended in disappointment when the team chose Heikki Kovalainen to replace Kimi Raikkonen instead of him after the Finn curtailed his season early, citing the need for back surgery.

Valsecchi will share a Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 with GP3 and Auto GP race winner Giovanni Venturini in GT Open this season. The car will be run by new team Eurotech Engineering, which is also assisting with the Puma 3 M-Sport Auto GP operation.

Eurotech has been set up by ex-Durango GP2 team chief Ivone Pinton.

"It is very exciting to start a new project like this, defending the colors of a great brand like Lamborghini [and] aligning two young top guns like Davide and Giovanni," said team director Alan Gomboso. "And choosing for our debut such a competitive series like the GT Open."