Angolan becomes first African driver to compete in F2
Angolan racer Ricardo Teixeira will compete in the 2010 FIA Formula Two Championship after making the switch from GP2 today (02/03).
Teixeira will be one of the most experienced drivers in the F2 field this year, having spent two seasons in the British F3 International class in 2007 and 2008, whilst also contesting the Zandvoort Masters and RTL GP Masters of F3. In 2008 he made the switch to the GP2 Asia Series with Trident Racing, before staying with the team for an assault on the main GP2 series in 2009.
Ricardo has already experienced the Williams JPH1 F2 car, having joined all four days of official winter testing last December. He showed promising pace from the outset, finishing inside the top eight in Valencia.
Ricardo Teixeira said: After having participated in British F3 and GP2, I am now really looking forward to competing in the F2 championship. I hope to make best use of my experience and to benefit from the principle of equality that pervades F2 in showing my potential this year. This may be my first year in F2 but I expect to improve quickly in the first races.
Jonathan Palmer, Formula Two Series Director, said: "Im delighted to welcome Ricardo Teixeira, our first African driver, to Formula Two. The equality of F2 provides the perfect environment for Ricardo to prove his talent and Im sure hell make the most of the opportunity and be pushing for points this season. Coming from GP2, Ricardo will really appreciate the recent performance upgrades Williams and MSV have made to the JPH1B F2 car.