In a shock move by the Championship leading team, test driver - Enrique Ruiz will get to run in the final four rounds of the season (China, Japan, Brazil and Mexico). It was recently announced that Enrique Ruiz would be replacing Championship leader Nathaniel Powers next season, with Powers heading to Downton. The move itself came as a bit of a puzzle to the fans of the Championship, who expected him to stay after what can only be described as a great season so far.
So, Ruiz will now also get to run in the final four rounds to build experience for the coming season...but not in the way you'd expect. It it well known that Franklin F1 and Ingram GP have a technical tie-up, but that relationship seems to run deeper now, with Franklin allegedly paying Ingram a sum of £1,000,000 in order to run the Brazilian driver. "We got a little bit of stick from the fans, for bringing in a rookie, especially when we've had two successful drivers this year. I don't want to go into the decision why Nathan left, but what I will say is that we felt that it would be beneficial to get Enrique into a car as soon as possible, so that he can get up to speed. He's already been great in the simulator, but nothing compares to the real thing, and the sum we paid for that is negligible, as the experience he will gain from it will be absolutely invaluable," Franklin explained. It could be an inspired move by Franklin to get Ruiz some track time, but how will he fare in a car he's unfamiliar with, against a team mate he doesn't know? And who will he be replacing!?
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