2011 runner-up eyes Williams F1 prize

2011 FIA Formula Two runner-up Christopher Zanella has his sights firmly set on championship victory and the Williams F1 prize test after confirming he is to return to the series in 2012.

The 22-year-old Swiss racer produced an outstanding maiden season last year with two wins and seven podiums to secure second place in the standings, which secured eligibility for an FIA Super Licence required to compete in Formula One.

Prior to F2, Zanella quickly established himself as one of his country’s leading motorsport talents starting with victory in the Formula Renault 2.0 Switzerland Championship in 2008, whilst he also competed in selected Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 races. From here he graduated to Formula Three in the Euro Series with the Motopark Academy team and claimed his first podium finish at the final round in Hockenheim in 2009.
He continued to race occasionally in the F3 Euro Series in 2010 alongside a full campaign in the Italian Formula 3 Championship, where he finished sixth overall, before making the step up to F2 in 2011.
Zanella said: “I’m really looking forward to this season and have been working hard over the winter to prepare. It’s going to be really tough though as I finished second last year so I have to win this season. I have an advantage over some of the drivers because I have more experience but I still have to adapt to the new tyres and brakes of the upgraded F2 car.”

He added: “I would love to get my hands on the Williams F1 test, like any aspiring F1 driver. It would be a dream come true.”

Formula Two Series Director Jonathan Palmer said: “I’m delighted to welcome Christopher back to F2. He impressed me enormously by recording his maiden podium at Silverstone in only his second race, and from 10th on the grid. He followed that up with a standout double victory in Magny-Cours before going on to score four more consecutive podiums to become Mirko Bortolotti’s main title rival. With his experience in F2, Christopher will undoubtedly be one of the favourites for the title and the Williams F1 test this year.”

Christopher will join the official pre-season test tomorrow (Wednesday 28 March) at Silverstone circuit. For more information visit www.formulatwo.com