Indian eyeing championship glory and Williams F1 test drive
21-year-old Indian driver Armaan Ebrahim has his sights set on championship glory after confirming his return to Formula Two in 2011.
Ebrahim enjoyed an impressive campaign in the series in 2010, cementing his reputation as his countrys best young prospect by scoring points in all but one round during the season and finishing tenth in the overall championship. He also the ended the year on a high, qualifying inside the top three for both races at the final round in Valencia and going on to secure his maiden F2 podium.
Armaan scored strongly on several other occasions during the year, notably taking a brace of sixth-place finishes on the streets of Marrakech and top five results at Monza, the home of the Italian Grand Prix, and Zolder.
Since making history as the youngest ever driver to represent his nation in the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport, Armaan has enjoyed success in a host of single seater championships and is a race winner in Formula BMW Asia and Formula V6 Asia.
Now moving into his third year of F2, Armaan admits he is full of confidence and keen to impress particularly as his home country India will host its first ever F1 Grand Prix this year. Im really happy to be returning to F2 in 2011, Armaan enthused. There are some legendary circuits on the calendar this year and my confidence is high following last year, so I cant wait for the season to begin.
With Formula One coming to India this year, interest is at an all-time high and if I can do a good job it will hopefully help me for the future. I proved last year that I can be fast, especially in Valencia where I sorted out my qualifying and then scored a podium, so the key will be to repeat that performance straight from the start of 2011 – and repeat it consistently. Ive improved every year in F2, and I want to keep that going, so victories and the championship are definitely the target!
After detailed evaluations with my internal team and my core sponsors, JK Tyre, CSEPL and Amaron, we decided that one more year in F2 is the best option for me to do well, win the championship if possible and then get organized for the GP2 Series in 2012 as well as an opening for a Test drive with a Formula 1 Team.
F2 surely prepares you well for GP2 as well as F1 and it is a great and very competitive series to take part in.
Jonathan Palmer, Formula Two Chief Executive, said: "I’m delighted Armaan will be returning for a third season of F2. He has shown great race craft throughout his time in the championship, and progressed impressively at the end of 2010 to claim a maiden podium in Valencia. F2 is certainly the ideal place for Armaan as he pursues a place on the GP2 grid in 2012, and I expect him to be a definite championship contender this year!