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Lotus Formula One technicians sit on tyres ahead of the weekend's Belgian Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps August 21, 2014. REUTERS/Laurent Dubrule Lotus Formula One technicians sit on tyres ahead of the weekend's Belgian Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps August 21, 2014. REUTERS/Laurent Dubrule

British racing driver Jolyon Palmer has been named as Lotus’ third driver for the 2015 Formula One, or F1 season. As the team’s new third driver, Palmer will attend all Grands Prix events and F1 tests all throughout the season. He will also take part in Free Practice 1 sessions and will maintain his involvement in car’s testing and development.

Palmer’s appointment as Lotus’ third driver was made on the day that he celebrated his 24th birthday. Lotus F1 team thought there couldn’t be a better present than giving the reigning GP2 Series champion an F1 break.

The 24-year-old, who will serve as a back-up driver to Roman Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado, couldn’t be happier with his F1 stint. Speaking via his official Web site, Palmer said that he was grateful for the opportunity and looking forward that his Lotus deal would pave the way for him to eventually become a full-time F1 racer. He is optimistic that he will have a long-term partnership with Lotus.

Gerard Lopez, who serves as the chairman and team principal of Lotus F1 team has said that Palmer has the talent to bring the role of a third driver into actuality, given his impressive performance winning the GP2 Series championship last year. Like GP2 Series champions Grosjean and Maldonado, Lopez believes that Palmer has a good chance of being successful in the future.

Meanwhile, Palmer further shared his thoughts on being the third driver in an interview with Lotus F1 team. He admitted that it would be something different and a bit saddening that he won’t be taking part in races but he is looking at a wider outlook with a longer time perspective.

“With no race seats available this year, I will still be driving a Formula 1 car, I’ll be part of a prestigious team, one that will move forward,” Palmer said. “My goal is to have a year out of racing now, working to be back racing in Formula 1, in 2016.”

Palmer is the first British to win the GP2 Series championships since Lewis Hamilton. He tested for Force India in Abu Dhabi in November 2014.

To contact the author of this article, email r.corpuz@IBTimes.com.au.