Spanish female racer Carmen Jorda will join Lotus for the 2015 Formula One season as a development driver, the British team announced on Thursday.
Jorda becomes the second female driver on a team this season with Scotswoman Susie Wolff undertaking testing duties for Williams.
"It feels like a dream come true to join Lotus F1 Team," Jorda said.
"I’ve been racing since I was 10 years old so it was my dream to drive a Formula 1 car since I was very young."
Lotus said Jorda's responsibilities would entail significant time on the team's simulator programme and an intensive fitness programme in case she should be called on to drive the E23 Hybrid later in the season.
"We are looking forward to working with her over the course of the season and ultimately seeing her behind the wheel of the car," said Lotus chief-executive officer Matthew Carter.
"We have a strong programme for her attending Grands Prix as well as extensive time in our sophisticated simulation facility at Enstone.
"She is a unique addition to the team and we are looking forward to helping her progress her goals as well as receiving the benefit of her insights and contributions to the development of the E23 Hybrid."
The daughter of former racing driver Jose Miguel Jorda, the 26-year-old has spent the last three seasons in GP3 where her best race finish was 13th.
Source: AFP