Euroseries 3000 champion and GP2 racer makes the switch to F2

Will Bratt is the latest driver to confirm that he will join the FIA Formula Two Championship for the 2010 season.

The British racer steps up to F2 after winning the Euroseries 3000 title last season, where he took four race wins, nine podiums and four pole positions in the series now known as Auto GP. Bratt impressively secured pole positions and race victories at Valencia (twice), Zolder and Monza – all circuits that Formula Two will visit in 2010. The 21-year-old also went on to contest the GP2 Asia Series over the winter as part of his Euro 3000 championship prize.

In 2008, Bratt was a frontrunner in Formula 3 Spain and also enjoyed his first run in a GP2 car, where he set the second fastest time during a group test at Paul Ricard. Prior to this, the Oxford University graduate scored wins in Formula Renault 2.0 UK and finished as runner-up in the 2007 Formula Palmer Audi Autumn Trophy. His car racing career began in the UK T-car series, where he won the title with 14 wins from just 18 races in 2004.

Will Bratt said: “I’m really excited about the prospect of driving a Formula Two car. It’s one of the most high-profile and best-promoted championships on the international stage, plus it’s designed to produce a truly level playing field so the onus is on driving talent. Obviously, my aim is to learn the car as quickly as possible and enjoy some good, close and competitive racing but that’s not to underestimate the challenge by any means. My experience racing in Europe should certainly be beneficial but, having said that, we know it’ll be a very tough season.”

Jonathan Palmer, Formula Two Series Director, said: "It is great to see Will progress from Euro 3000 to a major international championship like Formula Two. I am sure that he’ll appreciate racing in a series where there is total equality of equipment for every driver – something that Will has not always benefited from during his career. I first came across Will when he raced in Formula Palmer Audi and he was extremely quick, scoring a podium on his maiden weekend. It was clear to me then that Will had real talent and I am delighted to have another driver of his calibre in the 2010 F2 line-up."

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Formula Palmer Audi frontrunner steps up to international racing

British racer Paul Rees, son of ex-F1 driver Alan Rees, is the latest addition to the FIA Formula Two Championship line-up after his place on the 2010 grid was confirmed today.

Rees joins F2 after taking five podium positions in Formula Palmer Audi last season, which included a hat-trick of rostrums at Brands Hatch in August. 2009 followed a successful maiden campaign in the FPA series where the 23-year-old took pole position on his championship debut and ended the season as the third highest placed rookie. Rees has also raced in both Formula BMW and Formula Renault 2.0 in the UK.

Paul’s father Alan finished third in the 1966 Formula 2 Trophées de France, beating Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart and Graham Hill along the way. He then went on to finish fifth in the inaugural Formula 2 Europe championship in 1967, and he also competed in Formula One for Brabham.

Paul has already driven the Williams-designed F2 car during winter testing in Portimão, Portugal and the Oxford driver is now hoping to follow in the footsteps of his father by reaching the highest tier in motorsport.

Paul Rees said: “I am thrilled to be racing in Formula Two – this feels like the natural step on the motorsport ladder for me and I am 100% ready for it. I was really impressed with the F2 car during testing – there is a lot of power, good balance and a great gearbox. My father Alan Rees was a very successful Formula Two driver and it’s a good feeling to be the next generation racing under the same name. F2 is likely to be a two year programme for me – of course Formula One is my ultimate goal but I am fully focussed on succeeding in F2 first. I would like to thank my sponsors who have shown faith in me, Jonathan Palmer and my new management team at Darsena who have made this step possible.”

Jonathan Palmer, Formula Two Series Director, said: "I’m delighted Paul is joining F2. He has completed two seasons of FPA, becoming increasingly competitive, and was leading at a final Snetterton race until suffering a slow puncture. Paul is certainly ready to move up now, and F2 will provide the best learning environment as it is the only series in which all drivers can learn from the fastest by seeing not just data but on board video from every session. I have known Paul’s father Alan since Arrows made me my first F1 offer for 1982 and it’s lovely to have such F1 luminaries as Alan and Debbie Rees as part of the F2 family."

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“This year could be very good for me,” promises Brno polesitter

Italy’s Nicola De Marco has become the latest driver to commit to Formula Two for a second season, following yesterday’s announcement that Kazim Vasiliauskas will also return in 2010.

19-year-old De Marco enjoyed a highly promising maiden season in F2, recording his first pole position in tricky wet conditions in Brno before going on to clinch his first podium a day later, having led for much of the race. He also finished the year strongly with his best result of 2^nd in the final race at Barcelona, finishing close behind 2009 champion Andy Soucek.

The Italian’s single seater career stretches back to 2006, when he won three races and finished third overall in his maiden season in Formula Azzurra. He stepped up to Formula 3 Italy in 2007, scoring podiums on a regular basis and clinching one pole, before a strong 2008 campaign saw him outclass his RP Motorsport team-mates and finish fourth in Spanish F3, with two race wins and four podiums to his credit.

Nicola De Marco said: “I’m really happy to be returning for a second season of Formula Two. This year could be very good for me – I know the car, I know the series, so it’s possible to put together a very good championship. I finished last year very strongly with my best result in the final race, and I also had some good results along the way, so for sure I’m only looking at winning the title. It will be difficult of course, but for me Formula Two is the best championship and gives me the best opportunity to progress, so it’s great to be coming back.”

Jonathan Palmer, Formula Two Series Director, said; “Nicola, very sensibly, is another front running 2009 F2 driver to build on what he learnt last year to give himself the best chance of winning the most prestigious FIA single seater championship after F1.  He finished the F2 season as the fastest Italian driver and is being entirely realistic to believe he can take the title in 2010.  One of the youngest drivers in F2, Nicola had a tough time last year combining his university studies with racing but will be more relaxed and confident this season.  Capable of blistering pace and great consistency, I have no doubt Nicola will be a regular podium visitor in 2010.”

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Lithuanian eyeing championship glory and Williams F1 test drive

Formula Two race winner Kazim Vasiliauskas has become the latest driver to be confirmed on the 2010 grid after announcing his return to the series today (12/03).

Vasiliauskas, 19, played a starring role in the 2009 season, scoring his maiden race victory in Imola after starting from pole and sealing seventh in the overall championship, despite it being his first full season in single seaters.

Kazim further belied his age and relative inexperience by taking podiums at Valencia, Donington Park and Oschersleben, and remarkably ended the season as one of only three drivers to have scored points in every round of the season, alongside 2009 Champion Andy Soucek and third-placed Mikhail Aleshin. He also outscored everyone but Soucek and Aleshin over the second half of the season, cementing his reputation as one of the most exciting prospects in world motorsport.

Vasiliauskas, who topped the timesheets in the recent F2 test at Portimão, made history last year by becoming the first Lithuanian ever to compete in international single seaters. He has also tested GP2 and GP3 during the off-season but chose to return to F2 for a second season.

Kazim Vasiliauskas said: "For sure this year I’m expecting to win the championship. Last year my form was very good, and I finished the second half of the year very strongly. Now I have more experience, and I know the F2 operation and most of the circuits on the calendar. I believe in myself completely, so winning is the only target.

"This year through testing I was able to compare GP2, GP3 and Formula Two, and for me F2 represents the best package: the car has been improved, everyone has the same machinery and the prize is very good. F2 is for sure the right option for me, and I would like to thank Darsena, my managers, for giving me this opportunity. Of course it also helps that I have already driven in the series, and now I look forward to the season ahead!"

Jonathan Palmer, Formula Two Series Director, said: “For someone of such little experience, Kazim made a big impact in his first year of F2, taking an astonishing podium in the opening event at Valencia.  By competing in FPA and F2 in 2009 Kazim gained a lot of experience and used this, coupled with his outstanding natural talent, to be able to take his first well deserved win by Imola. I believe Kazim has all the attributes required to earn an F1 drive for 2011.  He is always quick, makes few mistakes, is extremely competitive and crucially very intelligent. He is going to be a very strong challenger for the championship and should he win I have no doubt he will impress Williams F1 when he tests at the end of year.  With the benefit of Darsena’s management, I really believe he could be the first Lithuanian in F1 in 2011.”

Drivers interested in competing in the 2010 FIA Formula Two Championship should contact the Championship Co-ordinator, James Gornall, at james.gornall@formulatwo.com or on 0044 1234 332439.

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