Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Charouz reveals Ferrari link and driver line-up for 2018 F2 debut

Formula 2 newcomer Charouz Racing System has announced Antonio Fuoco and Louis Deletraz as its drivers for the 2018 campaign, as part of a tie-in with Ferrari

The Czech team makes the switch to F2 - which is introducing a new car for next year - from Formula V8 3.5, having swept the drivers' and teams' titles in what turned out to be that category's final season.

Its new signings Fuoco and Deletraz, who both have one full year of F2 racing under their belts, will carry the Ferrari Driver Academy logo on their respective cars next season.

"I'm thrilled to welcome Louis and Antonio into our team and keen to work with the Ferrari Driver Academy for what will be our inaugural season in the FIA Formula 2 Championship," team boss Antonin Charouz said.

"Both drivers impressed during their rookie F2 season in 2017 and they clearly learned a lot as the year progressed.

"I'm confident they will be able to use that experience to good effect in 2018 so they are challenging at the front of what's traditionally a very competitive F2 field."

Fuoco, who has been backed by Ferrari since the start of his junior single-seater career, endured a mixed first season in F2 - finishing eighth as team-mate and fellow Ferrari-backed rookie Charles Leclerc romped to the title with Prema.

The 21-year-old struggled at the start of the year, but enjoyed a late-season resurgence, claiming a maiden win on home turf at Monza.

"I'm really happy to join Charouz Racing System and have a new challenge in F2," Fuoco said.

"The team has a good racing pedigree after winning the World Series [Formula V8 3.5] title this year and everyone is pushing hard to do everything perfectly.

"If this happens, I know we can all do a good season together at Charouz."

Deletraz, a former Renault junior and son of ex-F1 driver Jean-Denis, joined F2 full-time this year after finishing runner-up in Formula V8 3.5, where he raced for Fortec.

He ended his first year in F2 in 17th overall, having made a mid-season switch from Racing Engineering to Rapax - with the latter team not taking part in the 2018 season.

"This is a very exciting project and I think we can do great things next year," he said.

"90% of the package will be new - the car, chassis and engine - and that's a really interesting prospect.

"Always, when a new car comes in, everyone is starting from zero. And with the talented people we have in the Charouz Racing System team, I hope it's going to be a great year."

Be part of the Autosport community

Join the conversation
Previous article McLaren F1 junior Norris: F2 debut more difficult than I expected
Next article Carlin: McLaren's Norris taking risk with us as 'unproven' F2 team

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe