German driver Jens Höing will compete in the 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship following the resolution of contractual issues. 

Along with the rest of the F2 line-up, Höing will take part in the final pre-season group test at Silverstone on Monday (18 May).

21 year-old Höing competed in the German Formula 3 Cup last season. He also tested a Superleague Formula car at Vallelunga in August 2008, where he set the sixth quickest time overall. Prior to F3, Höing spent three seasons racing in Germany’s national Formula BMW Championship.  He contested the 2006 Formula BMW World Final against fellow F2 drivers Rob Wickens, Jack Clarke and Tobias Hegewald at the Circuit de Valencia – the venue which will host the opening rounds of the Formula Two season in just over two weeks time.

Höing has already confirmed that his participation in Formula Two is likely to be a two year programme: "This is my best chance to reach the top of professional motorsport," he said. "My aim is to score podiums this year before challenging for the title next season. I want to win the F2 championship in 2010. I am extremely grateful to my sponsor and my new management team who have made this drive in F2 possible."

www.formulatwo.com

Rob Wickens finishes on top at official F2 test
Canadian driver leads Red Bull Junior Team one-two at Snetterton

The first official FIA Formula Two Championship test has concluded at Snetterton, with Canadian Rob Wickens finishing the day at the top of the timesheets with a time of 59.433s.

Wickens’ flying lap, which was set deep into the afternoon session, was nearly bettered immediately afterwards by fellow Red Bull junior driver Mirko Bortolotti, but the Italian missed out by just 0.168s. Six other drivers dipped below the one minute mark, with Formula Palmer Audi graduate Alex Brundle ending up third quickest.

Experienced Spaniard Andy Soucek was the only driver to set a sub-one minute time in both the morning and afternoon – his afternoon lap of 59.763s was good enough for fourth place. Philipp Eng and Milos Pavlovic were fifth and sixth respectively, but were unable to improve on their early morning pace. Julien Jousse, Sebastian Hohenthal, Mikhail Aleshin and Tobias Hegewald rounded out the top ten. 

The 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship looks set to be remarkably close, with a little over one second covering the top 20 drivers at the end of the day. All cars ran today (Wednesday) with brand new bespoke F2 tyres from Avon and the Williams JPH1 enjoyed good reliability with every driver completing more than 50 laps during the day. Natacha Gachnang had the most track time, completing 94 laps in her new F2 car.

Rob Wickens said: “It was a good reward and a good way to end the first test day of testing, but ultimately it’s only the first day of a long season. I really enjoyed it and I felt very comfortable in the car. The competition is very tight. I was surprised at one point when I was only three tenths off the best time, but I was way down in the overall positions. It’s definitely what you can expect from the whole season and I think it should be good.”

Mirko Bortolotti said: “To be honest I just wanted to learn the car and track today so I wasn’t focussed on times, but when I saw that I was second I was really pleased. I am happy with the work we have done and I am enjoying it a lot. All the guys from Williams F1 and MotorSport Vision have done a great job. The car is great and I am really proud to be a part of this championship.”

Alex Brundle said: "I knew the lap was pretty quick. I feel really comfortable in the car and it is good to know that I am there or thereabouts. I really love driving this car – it is mega."

Official test times – Snetterton, 6 May:

1. Robert WICKENS  CAN  Red Bull, Lukoil  59.433s  

2. Mirko BORTOLOTTI  ITA  Red Bull  59.601s +0.168

3. Alex BRUNDLE  GBR  SEN, GAC, Nasstar  59.655s + 0.222

4. Andy SOUCEK  ESP  FK-Automotive  59.763s +0.330

5. Philipp ENG  Aut  59.963s +0.530

6.   Milos PAVLOVIC  SRB  59.970s +0.537

7.  Julien JOUSSE  FRA  E.Leclerc  59.974s +0.541

8. Sebastian HOHENTHAL  SWE  Mafi, Sweden Team  1:00.070s  +0.637

9. Mikhail ALESHIN  RUS  Red Bull, Lukoil  1:00.147s  +0.714

10. Tobias HEGEWALD  GER  Hegewald  1:00.164s  +0.731

The next official F2 test will take place at Silverstone on 18 May.

www.formulatwo.com

Rob Wickens finishes on top at official F2 test
Canadian driver leads Red Bull Junior Team one-two at Snetterton

The first official FIA Formula Two Championship test has concluded at Snetterton, with Canadian Rob Wickens finishing the day at the top of the timesheets with a time of 59.433s.

Wickens’ flying lap, which was set deep into the afternoon session, was nearly bettered immediately afterwards by fellow Red Bull junior driver Mirko Bortolotti, but the Italian missed out by just 0.168s. Six other drivers dipped below the one minute mark, with Formula Palmer Audi graduate Alex Brundle ending up third quickest.

Experienced Spaniard Andy Soucek was the only driver to set a sub-one minute time in both the morning and afternoon – his afternoon lap of 59.763s was good enough for fourth place. Philipp Eng and Milos Pavlovic were fifth and sixth respectively, but were unable to improve on their early morning pace. Julien Jousse, Sebastian Hohenthal, Mikhail Aleshin and Tobias Hegewald rounded out the top ten.

The 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship looks set to be remarkably close, with a little over one second covering the top 20 drivers at the end of the day. All cars ran today (Wednesday) with brand new bespoke F2 tyres from Avon and the Williams JPH1 enjoyed good reliability with every driver completing more than 50 laps during the day. Natacha Gachnang had the most track time, completing 94 laps in her new F2 car.

Rob Wickens said: “It was a good reward and a good way to end the first test day of testing, but ultimately it’s only the first day of a long season. I really enjoyed it and I felt very comfortable in the car. The competition is very tight. I was surprised at one point when I was only three tenths off the best time, but I was way down in the overall positions. It’s definitely what you can expect from the whole season and I think it should be good.”

Mirko Bortolotti said: “To be honest I just wanted to learn the car and track today so I wasn’t focussed on times, but when I saw that I was second I was really pleased. I am happy with the work we have done and I am enjoying it a lot. All the guys from Williams F1 and MotorSport Vision have done a great job. The car is great and I am really proud to be a part of this championship.”

Alex Brundle said: "I knew the lap was pretty quick. I feel really comfortable in the car and it is good to know that I am there or thereabouts. I really love driving this car – it is mega."

Official test times – Snetterton, 6 May:

1. Robert WICKENS CAN Red Bull, Lukoil 59.433s

2. Mirko BORTOLOTTI ITA Red Bull 59.601s +0.168

3. Alex BRUNDLE GBR SEN, GAC, Nasstar 59.655s + 0.222

4. Andy SOUCEK ESP FK-Automotive 59.763s +0.330

5. Philipp ENG  Aut  59.963s +0.530

6.   Milos PAVLOVIC  SRB  59.970s +0.537

7.  Julien JOUSSE FRA E.Leclerc 59.974s +0.541

8. Sebastian HOHENTHAL SWE Mafi, Sweden Team 1:00.070s +0.637

9. Mikhail ALESHIN RUS Red Bull, Lukoil 1:00.147s +0.714

10. Tobias HEGEWALD GER Hegewald 1:00.164s +0.731

The next official F2 test will take place at Silverstone on 18 May.

www.formulatwo.com

Formula Two officially underway as all 24 cars take to track for very first time

Jonathan Palmer: “This is a very proud moment”

The 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship is officially underway as all 24 cars took to the track for the first time at Snetterton today (5 May).

After a formal introduction by Jonathan Palmer, the drivers got to familiarise themselves with their cars during a short stint of run-in and installation laps. Whilst no official timing was recorded today, the F2 drivers were able to steadily increase their pace and complete some solid runs as the day progressed. All 24 cars have run well throughout each session.

Testing is due to continue in grouped sessions tomorrow (Wednesday) morning, before the pit lane is opened for the first time to all drivers in the afternoon. Tomorrow will also be the first time that the cars run on bespoke Avon compounds and live timing will be made available on the official Formula Two website.

Spaniard Andy Soucek, who last season competed in GP2, was enthusiastic after his first run in the Williams JPH1 F2 car: "I have a very good feeling about this car and the championship. I have done four years of Formula 3, one year of Formula Renault 3.5 and two years of GP2, so I’m used to these type of cars, but the Williams JPH1 surprised me. The levels of downforce exceeded my expectations, the grip levels are good and once we have the new Avon tyre tomorrow it should be even more fun to drive."

"It is easier to follow another car than in F3 and GP2 as you don’t lose so much aero. It means that being behind someone really permits you to get close to them, so I’m sure we will see a lot of overtaking this year."

21-year-old Swiss Natacha Gachnang was another who enthused after her maiden run: "The first session was really great. The car feels really nice, and although I wasn’t pushing too hard you can feel that the car is really powerful and it will be a good apprenticeship towards Formula One."

Jonathan Palmer, Chief Executive of series organiser MotorSport Vision, said: "This is a very proud moment. Today has gone far better than I had dared to expect; none of these cars had even turned a wheel before they arrived at Snetterton this morning and the whole MSV F2 team has done an absolutely phenomenal job in meeting the original date for the first test on time. All 24 F2 cars have run today and been amazingly trouble free.

"I really believe we are making history. The combination of high performance, F1 safety standards and 16 European races – all for just £200,000 – was disbelieved when the FIA first invited tenders, but now with a full grid of drivers and the cars all complete, the reality has arrived – Formula Two is going to create a revolution in motorsport.”

www.formulatwo.com

For immediate release:  Friday 24 April

Patrick Head: “It has been a hell of a challenge”

Extensive build and development process of F2 car draws to a close

Patrick Head, Director of Engineering at the AT&T Williams F1 Team, has commended the efforts of the MotorSport Vision (MSV) Formula Two team as the build schedule for the 24 cars draws to a close.

MSV was awarded the tender to supply the cars and operational expertise for the FIA Formula Two Championship in September last year, and has faced the considerable challenge of building 24 identical and highly technically sophisticated Williams-designed single seaters in an unusually short timeframe. Head is upbeat about the series’ prospects in 2009 after overseeing yesterday’s (23/04) test session at Snetterton, before he went on to visit the F2 facility at Bedford Autodrome.

“It was great to see the car reach the speeds and targets that Jonathan Palmer specified at the design stage, when it tested yesterday,” said Head. “I was hugely impressed with what I saw at Bedford Autodrome when I went to see the assembly process. The team have put in a huge amount of work, and though there is still a lot to do, there is confidence that they will get the job done.”

“Williams obviously has a vested interest in the F2 project, and I am very keen to see it get off the ground and have a fantastic start. It has been a hell of a challenge for MotorSport Vision to produce a new car and establish a new championship and we wish them well, but we will also be keeping a close eye on the championship and help them out where we can.”

MSV has coped with the task thanks to a restructure of working hours at the manufacturing base at Bedford Autodrome. Early and late shifts are in operation to ensure car build work is in progress from 0530-0100, seven days a week, as dedicated engineers and mechanics work towards the first scheduled group test on May 5. “It has been a gargantuan effort from the team; it really is hard to express just how hard they have worked,” said Giles Butterfield, Group Operations Manager at MotorSport Vision. “These guys have literally had to eat, sleep and breathe the F2 project over the last months, and the quality of the car is a real testament to the incredible effort they have put in.”

The Williams JPH1 has now covered more than 6,000kms during its test and development programme and ran with the adjustable front wing mechanism for the first time this week: “What is really encouraging is that, whilst the test car is up to speed and running well, we still have new technical upgrades that will deliver even more performance from the car,” said Butterfield. “The adjustable front wing mechanism is now up and running and the latest evolution of Avon’s specially developed F2 compound tyres are also due at the first group test in early May, which will lead to a very significant boost in performance.”

The pre-season tests for all 24 F2 drivers are due to take place at Snetterton on May 5/6 and Silverstone on May 18. Prior to that Steven Kane will continue with test driver duties in the UK before he takes the car for a final 2-day test at Valencia, the venue of the opening round of the 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship (May 29/31).

www.formulatwo.com

Sir Frank Williams and Patrick Head attend the launch of Williams JPH1

The Williams JPH1 was formally unveiled today (2 March) by MotorSport Vision’s Chief Executive Jonathan Palmer at Brands Hatch, England.

As Sir Frank Williams and Patrick Head looked on, the car was revealed to hundreds of invited media, guests and F2 drivers. The car was rolled out in glorious sunshine at the Kent track before taking to the Indy circuit for several high speed laps at the hands of British Touring Car racer and F2 test driver Steven Kane.

Sir Frank discussed the car with Jonathan Palmer during an F2 press conference after watching the demonstration laps: "I think with 450bhp the car will need respect as well as skill,” said Williams. “People will now be looking at two streams into F1 with F2 as well as GP2."

Patrick Head recalled Palmer’s initial request to design a cost effective yet high-speed sophisticated single seater car: "It was quite an engineering challenge to design a simple car with good performance,” said Head. “We didn’t want the car to be too complex, not too expensive, but to still produce quite a lot of downforce. The car looks nice and I am sure it will be a good car for the championship."

British Touring Car frontrunner and former McLaren Autosport BRDC Award winner Steven Kane had the honour of piloting the F2 car during its first official laps. He later described the car as "second to none."

"For me, the car has exceeded expectations straight out of the box,” Kane enthused. "I’ve driven in Formula Renault 3.5, and tested GP2 and F1, and I can say that the quality of the F2 car is second to none.”

The F2 event at Brands Hatch attracted a number of its 2009 drivers from all around the world, including Andy Soucek, Julien Jousse, Armaan Ebrahim and Natacha Gachnang. There was also a strong UK contingent, with Jolyon Palmer, Henry Surtees, Alex Brundle, Jack Clarke and Jason Moore all attending. They were joined by Italians Nicola De Marco and Pietro Gandolfi, Germany’s Tobias Hegewald and Austria’s Philipp Eng, Kazim Vasiliaskas – the first Lithuanian to ever race in international single seater racing – Henri Karjalainen and Spanish F3 champion Germán Sánchez.

Jonathan Palmer said: "The car looks and sounds fantastic and Williams have done a great job. I don’t think any other championship can boast the same demand from drivers as we’ve had in such a short space of time, particularly in its first year. To have all 24 slots filled so quickly is excellent and F2 will give all  these drivers the chance to prove their skill against each other on a level playing field. And help them towards their aim of racing in Formula One."

 www.formulatwo.com

Serbian international race winner confirmed as the 24^th driver

Experienced former GP2 and Formula Renault 3.5 driver Miloš Pavlović is the 24^th and final entrant to be confirmed in the 2009 F2 line-up.

Pavlović’s rise through the international ranks began after he won the Italian F3 title in 2002 and World Series Light in 2004. He then spent three seasons in Formula Renault 3.5, scoring podiums in both 2005 and 2006 before mounting a serious championship challenge during the following campaign, where he ended the overall standings in third after taking two wins and four podiums.

The Serbian racer joins F2 after a season competing in the main GP2 and GP2 Asia series, where he scored points in three of the ten rounds.

Miloš Pavlović said: “I am very excited to be a part of a championship that is bringing something new to the world of single seater racing. The budgets are realistic and drivers are able to show their qualities against tough competition in an equal environment. I’m looking forward to meeting the challenge and doing my very best.”

Jonathan Palmer, Chief Executive of championship organiser MotorSport Vision, said: “I am delighted to welcome Miloš as the final driver in the 2009 Formula Two line-up. He’s a successful and very experienced single seater racer, and I expect him to be challenging near the front of the field from the outset. By confirming Miloš we have now announced our full line-up of 24 drivers from 15 different countries, a remarkable feat given we won the tender to operate the championship as recently as September last year.”

          www.formulatwo.com

17-year-old returns to Europe after successful campaign in America

Tom Gladdis has secured the penultimate place in the 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship and becomes the series’ youngest driver.

British driver Gladdis is due to celebrate his 18^th birthday next week, and he joins Formula Two after finishing sixth in the Star Mazda Championship in North America. Gladdis took one victory, two pole positions and three podiums in just 10 races, having skipped two rounds of the championship through being too young to compete.

Gladdis, who was born on the Isle of Wight but now resides in Gibraltar, only began his racing career in 2007 when he was awarded a Formula BMW UK scholarship following a track test evaluation. This gave Gladdis the chance to compete in the Formula BMW World Final in Valencia – a race that was eventually won by fellow F2 driver Philipp Eng.

Tom Gladdis said: “F2 is just so appealing – it’s cost effective, high profile and a high level of commitment has been shown by both the FIA and MotorSport Vision. The level of driver talent is huge and it is going to be a challenging campaign, but you can learn so much by racing against tough opposition. This may well be a two year programme for me but the thought of winning a Formula One test will only make me push harder! I’m particularly looking forward to competing at Spa-Francorchamps for the first time as it is a circuit at which I have always dreamt of racing.”

Jonathan Palmer, Chief Executive of championship organiser MotorSport Vision, said: “Tom has had a rapid rise through the ranks following his discovery by BMW in late 2006, and despite his lack of experience he was a genuine contender for the Star Mazda Championship in only his second season of racing. Whilst F2 is a considerable step up for Tom, there’s no doubting that he is a very talented young driver, and there’s every chance he could be one of the surprise packages of the 2009 season.”

          www.formulatwo.com

Finn aiming to follow Keke Rosberg from F2 into Formula One

Finnish driver Henri Karjalainen has become the latest name to sign up for the 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship as he bids to follow in fellow countryman Keke Rosberg’s tracks from F2 into Formula One.

22-year-old Henri has already experienced success in three continents having raced in Europe, Asia and North America during the last four years. He joins Formula Two after finishing runner-up in the 2007 Formula 3 Asia Pacific Championship, taking five wins and five podiums from the 13 races he contested, before progressing into the Formula Atlantic Championship for 2008.

Karjalainen has also competed in GP2, having been invited to replace fellow Finn Markus Niemelä for the Turkish round of the 2007 championship following a string of impressive results in the 2006 Asian Formula Renault Challenge. Henri scored one victory and three podiums for the Asia Racing Team, whilst he also competed in five Formula 3 Asia races during the same season.

Henri Karjalainen said: “Formula Two is a fantastic opportunity for me, and I’m delighted to have signed up to compete in 2009. F2 has a great history, and now the 2009 championship has the backing of the FIA, so it has real pedigree. For me F2 represents the best chance to progress into Formula One, which has always been my ambition. Keke Rosberg graduated from Formula Two into F1, and I will be trying my utmost to follow in his tracks.

“The championship itself is a great package – not only is it much cheaper than other series, but the prize of a test drive with Williams is a huge draw and I think that’s been reflected in how strong a driver line up F2 has. Of course I’m looking to win races, but the Williams test is a huge incentive and I’m sure everyone will be pushing hard. It’s going to be really exciting, especially as the cars are all equal and so it will all come down to the drivers.”

Jonathan Palmer, Chief Executive of championship organiser MotorSport Vision, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Henri to Formula Two. I had the privilege of racing against Keke Rosberg – who became the first Finn to reach Formula One – in the mid-1980s, and he was sensationally fast. It would be fantastic if Henri could follow Keke’s example and progress from Formula Two into F1; certainly he faces some extremely tough competition, but Henri is one of Finland’s outstanding young drivers and we’re delighted to have him in F2.”

    www.formulatwo.com

BMW World Final winner targets second Formula One Test

Austrian driver Philipp Eng has signed up for the 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship as he bids to secure a second Formula One test drive.
Eng took part in a test with the BMW Sauber F1 Team in December last year after competing in selected rounds of the 2008 Formula BMW Europe Championship.  He also raced in the German Formula 3 Cup during the same season, taking a pole position and podium finish in just four races.

The 18-year-old’s F1 experience was a reward for his hugely successful 2007 campaign.  Eng finished third in the Formula BMW ADAC series before entering the highly competitive Formula BMW World Final at the Circuit de Valencia. After starting from pole position, Eng dominated the race to win the World Final and a Formula One test drive with BMW Sauber as part of the prize.

Eng only started competing in single seater racing in 2006, when he finished tenth overall in Formula BMW ADAC after racing against fellow F2 competitors Tobias Hegewald and Jens Höing.

The Austrian driver is coached by ex-F1 driver Christian Danner – who himself is no stranger to Formula Two, having competed in the championship in the early 1980s. Danner finished fifth in the 1983 F2 Championship, the year that MSV Chief Executive Jonathan Palmer took overall honours.

Philipp Eng said: "In my opinion Formula Two is a great opportunity for young drivers because the costs are not as high as other racing series and everybody has the same vehicles – it is up to the driver to show their ability, which is great. I am really pleased to be joining this championship but I also know that it will be very tough as there are some very experienced and successful drivers in the line-up. Having won the BMW World Final at Valencia, I am really looking forward to starting the season there but I am also excited about racing at Brands Hatch and Spa-Francorchamps. The prize of a test drive with Williams F1 is obviously very appealing and my recent experience in an F1 car was amazing, so I will give everything to get another F1 test.”

Christian Danner said: “Jonathan Palmer and I go back a long time. We obviously raced in Formula Two together and I even got my first start in a Formula One Grand Prix after I replaced Jonathan, who was injured. The return of F2 is great and now that I am working with Philipp, it was definitely our first choice for the development of his career. I spoke with Mario Thiessen (Team Principle of BMW Sauber) following Philipp’s test in their F1 car and he was very impressed with his performance. He is a talent and he will join some great drivers in Formula Two, it really is looking like a quality line-up – it is how it used to be in F2! I am so enthusiastic about the return of F2 – everyone has an equal chance. I have already said to Jonathan that I would quite like to drive the car myself.”

Jonathan Palmer, Chief Executive of championship organiser MotorSport Vision, said: “Philipp is clearly an outstanding prospect at 18 years of age, and his victory at the BMW World Final in Valencia after just two seasons of single seater racing was highly impressive. Having experienced Formula One machinery as recently as December, I’m sure Philipp will be particularly determined to win the FIA Formula Two Championship and earn the prize of a second test, this time a serious evaluation with the AT&T Williams F1 Team. Philipp only contested selected races during the 2008 season, but I suspect he will be a serious contender for the 2009 F2 title. I’ve also agreed to give my old rival and friend Christian Danner a test in our F2 car – and look forward to seeing how fit he still is!”

     www.formulatwo.com

German driver Jens Höing will compete in the FIA Formula Two Championship in 2009.

The 21-year-old moves to F2 after competing in the German Formula 3 Cup last season, where he scored a season’s best eighth position at the Nürburgring. Höing also tested for Team Olympiacos in the Superleague Formula at Vallelunga in August 2008, setting the sixth quickest time overall.

Prior to F3, Höing spent three seasons racing in Germany’s national Formula BMW Championship.  He also competed in the 2006 Formula BMW World Final against fellow F2 drivers Rob Wickens and Tobias Hegewald at the Circuit de Valencia – the venue which will host the opening rounds of the 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship.

Jens Höing said: "I am glad to be joining F2 as the second German driver to be confirmed. The concept, presentation and history of F2 are right for my career. With the cars being equal for every driver, unlike my situation in Formula 3, people can see your talent through your results in Formula Two. This is my best chance to reach the top of professional motorsport in the next two years and my aim is to score podiums this year before challenging for the title next season. I want to win the F2 championship in 2010 and with it, the Williams F1 test drive. I still know many of the fabulous Williams F1 Team from my time as a BMW junior and it is my aspiration to drive for them in Formula One. I am extremely grateful to my sponsor and my new management team who have made this drive in F2 possible."

Jonathan Palmer, Chief Executive of championship organiser MotorSport Vision, said: “It is great to add another young German talent to the F2 line-up. As we all know, Germany has a rich history in motorsport and I am sure Jens will be hoping to add his name to a long list of successful drivers from his homeland. Although Jens does not have the reputation of some of F2’s drivers I am in no doubt that F2 is going to throw up some surprises to the form book and Jens could be one of them”

      www.formulatwo.com

Red Bull has signed Italian F3 champion Mirko Bortlotti as part of its junior driver programme, and placed him in the FIA Formula Two Championship for the 2009 season. 

Bortolotti has recently tested a Scuderia Ferrari F2008 F1 car as part of his F3 title prize – setting an unofficial lap record for the car at Fiorano just before Christmas. This followed a highly impressive campaign in the 2008 Italian F3 Championship, where he took nine wins and a total of 15 podiums in just 16 races. A run in the new A1GP car and the F1 test with Ferrari followed, before Red Bull invited Bortolotti to join its prestigious Junior Team.

Bortolotti’s first full season of single seater racing was in 2006, where he finished as runner-up in Formula Azzurra. Fellow F2 competitor Nicola De Marco also contested the same championship, finishing third. A podium in the Formula Renault 2.0 Italy Winter Series followed before he stepped up to compete in Italian F3 in 2007. One win and seven podiums helped Bortolotti to fourth in the overall standings, setting him up for a championship assault in 2008.

Mirko Bortolotti said: “This is fantastic news for me because only the very best international junior drivers get into the Red Bull Junior Team. Formula Two is a very exciting championship and I am extremely grateful to the Red Bull organisation and of course, the people at Formula Two for giving me this opportunity. I enjoyed a great season in 2008 but I know that I still have a lot to learn. Having already driven a Formula One car, I am desperate to have this experience again in my career. Through this chance in F2 and my relationship with Red Bull, I hope this dream can be realised in the future.”

Jonathan Palmer, Chief Executive of championship organiser MotorSport Vision, said: “The Red Bull junior programme has been phenomenally successful and many of their drivers, like Sebastian Vettel and Sébastien Buemi, have progressed to Formula One. Red Bull has clearly identified Mirko as a future star, and I’m thrilled they have chosen Formula Two as the next step in his career. His results last season were quite exceptional, and his performance in the F1 test at Fiorano showed his considerable potential. Mirko is an exciting prospect and I expect him to be a major contender for the 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship.”

Mirko Bortolotti is the third member of the Red Bull Junior Team to be confirmed in F2, following Canadian Robert Wickens and Russian driver Mikhail Aleshin.

www.formulatwo.com

Lithuania represented on international single seater stage for first time

18-year-old Kazim Vasiliauskas has signed up for the 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship, becoming the first Lithuanian driver ever to compete in an international single seater series.

Vasiliauskas won multiple karting championships in his home country before moving to the international karting stage in 2007. In his first season of racing he qualified for the ultra-competitive World Karting Championship final and took the runner-up spot in the Winning Series Karting championship. He also finished fifth in the European Championship KZ2 after scoring 5 top six finishes from six finals.

After graduating to car racing in 2008, Vasiliauskas contested ten Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup races against drivers including fellow F2 rival Tobias Hegewald. He also competed in eight Formula Renault 2.0 Italy races, achieving a season’s best fifth position at the Hungaroring.

Kazim Vasiliauskas said: “I am delighted to be joining F2. Many drivers in the past have progressed from Formula Two to Formula One so this is a great step in my career. Even though I do not have years of experience I wanted to step up from Formula Renault, and F2 is an important category because every car is equal. Of course, I want to do as good as possible, but I know that some drivers in the championship already have seven years of racing behind them. I can learn from these drivers however, and I am sure racing against such good competition will help me to improve.”

Jonathan Palmer, Chief Executive of championship organiser MotorSport Vision, said: “I’m delighted Kazim has signed up to compete in Formula Two. In doing so he becomes the first driver from his home nation to compete at this level of motorsport, and Lithuania becomes the twelfth different country to be represented on the F2 grid. Kazim has progressed from karts to F2 in a relatively short period of time but has shown considerable potential along the way, and he is certainly capable of surprising his more experienced rivals in F2.”

www.formulatwo.com

Spanish F3 champion Germán Sánchez joins Formula Two

Spanish Formula 3 champion Germán Sánchez has signed up to compete in the 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship.

The 19-year-old joins Formula Two after securing the 2008 Spanish F3 title at the final race weekend of the season in Barcelona, beating fellow F2 rivals Natacha Gachnang and Nicola De Marco in the process. Sánchez scored four race wins during his title winning campaign including a victory at the Circuit de Valencia, which will host the opening round of the F2 season in May.

Sánchez has made a remarkable start to his motor racing career, taking seven wins and ten podiums on his way to the 2006 Spanish F3 cup class title in his first ever season of car racing before claiming overall honours in the main Spanish championship two years later. 

Germán Sánchez said: “I am very happy to be joining this Formula, it is a great opportunity. Formula Two is an important championship, the popularity and interest seems to be growing and growing. Everything is being achieved in a very professional manner and the organisers have attracted some great drivers from around the world. I am confident however, through my determination and hard work, that I can score some good results.”

Jonathan Palmer, Chief Executive of championship organiser MotorSport Vision, said: ““There has been great interest in Formula Two from Spain and I am delighted to add the Spanish Formula 3 champion to an increasingly impressive line-up for our first year. Germán follows Andy Soucek as the second Spanish driver to be confirmed and the 2009 F2 grid will now feature three of the top four drivers from last year’s Spanish F3 Championship, which is fantastic. Germán has achieved outstanding results in his career so far, and will no doubt be pushing hard in F2 to achieve his ultimate goal of joining fellow countryman Fernando Alonso in Formula One.”

www.formulatwo.com

Formula Palmer Audi Championship to cost just €69,950 in 2009 – drives still available

€55,000 Formula Two scholarship prize for 2009 FPA Champion

Places are still available for the 2009 Formula Palmer Audi Championship (FPA), which now costs just €69,950 for a full season including vehicle damage cover.

As well as offering a cost-effective route into the highest tiers of motor racing, FPA’s scholarship prize with the revived FIA Formula Two Championship will benefit drivers through F2’s direct association with the AT&T Williams F1 team. The 2009 FPA Champion will be awarded a €55,000 scholarship towards a full season in the FIA Formula Two Championship, whilst the top three FPA finishers will also receive a full test in the F2 car.

Formula Two already enjoys a close association with F1, as the Formula Two champion will receive a test drive with the AT&T Williams F1 team, whilst the top three finishers will qualify for an FIA Superlicence, required to compete in Formula One Grands Prix.

The 2009 Formula Palmer Audi championship will include 20 races at seven circuits throughout the UK including British Grand Prix venue Silverstone and two rounds on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit supporting the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport.

Jonathan Palmer, Chief Executive of series organiser MSV, said: “There is simply no better place to prove your talent than in FPA, where every driver races for the winning team, at a reasonable cost, and in a high performance car. In these difficult economic times, the 2009 Formula Palmer Audi Championship offers surely the best value for money of any formula in the world and with our unique Є55,000 scholarship prize towards F2 for the 2009 FPA champion – you could quickly be on the ladder to Formula One.”

Over the past 11 years, Formula Palmer Audi has established itself as a training ground for talented young drivers with nine series graduates, including inaugural champion Justin Wilson, progressing into Formula One.  Other drivers have competed in major international championships such as DTM and the FIA World Touring Car Championship, including triple WTCC champion Andy Priaulx.

www.formula-palmer-audi.com