Austrian driver adds F2 programme
Austrian driver Rene Binder will make his FIA Formula Two Championship debut at the weekend, racing on home soil when the series visits the new Red Bull Ring.
The 19-year-old, from Tirol in Austria, will join the rest of the packed F2 field for rounds 11 and 12 at the newly rebuilt Spielberg circuit on 26-28 August.
Binder joins F2 on the back of his second season in the German Formula Three Championship – currently titled the ATS Formel 3 Cup – where hes presently eighth in the drivers standings having secured three points finishes so far together with a podium. Prior to this Binder finished 12th in the 2010 F3 Cup, Germanys fastest single-seater series, racing with Motopark Academy securing a podium along with two points finishes.
In 2007 and 2008 he competed in the German Junior Kart Championship, finishing third and second respectively before beginning his car racing career in the ADAC Formel Masters, ending his maiden season seventh overall with three podium finishes.
Speaking ahead of the weekend Binder said: Im really excited about racing at the Red Bull Ring. I competed there earlier this month which went well and it means I already know the track which I think will be a big help to me. Ive not really had much chance to get to grips with the car but from the time Ive had it felt nice to drive and is very different to anything else Ive raced. At the moment Im just competing in Austrian rounds but if things go well F2 is certainly a possibility for me next year.
Formula Two Series Director Jonathan Palmer added: Were very pleased to be welcoming Rene to F2 this weekend. Getting to grips with the 500bhp F2 car will certainly be a challenge but his impressive showing in the F3 Cup, which boasts Michael Schumacher and eight-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen among its former champions, should hopefully help him be on the pace early on and even challenge for top 10 results as the weekend progresses.
Rounds 11 and 12 of the FIA Formula Two Championship take place on 26-28 August at Austrias Red Bull Ring with full coverage, including live streaming, on the official F2 website.
For more information on the series click onto www.formulatwo.com