Hungarian racer Tamas Pal Kiss will make the step up from Formula Renault UK to the GP3 Series this season, racing for the Tech 1 Racing team.
Tamas won three races in Formula Renault UK in 2010 and ended the season third in the standings. He is the fourth driver to make the step up from the British series, joining Lewis Williamson, Nick Yelloly and Marlon Stockinger.
The move to GP3 brings Tamas closer to his goal of racing in Formula 1. “One of my greatest wishes has come true this season, and now it’s my turn to reach my aim of becoming the second Hungarian Formula 1 driver,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to the start of the season. I'm really excited about the battle with my teammates also. I’ll try to do my best, and want to do the maximum with the car and myself.”
Speaking prior to the three-day test at Silverstone, Tamas said: “[Silverstone] is like a second home to me. Last year I had many races on the track, and I know it well, so I only have to concentrate on the new car and my mechanics.”
Tech 1's Sarah Abadie explained how the Tamas' performance in a guest race at his home round of the Formula Renault Eurocup alerted the team to his potential. “He was unbelievable – he was overtaking more than the rest of the field. Since that race we’ve followed his career, and when he was doing his first laps in a GP3 car last year we decided that we’ll try to contact him.”
She explained that the deal is part of a two-year plan. “I personally believe that Tamas is a big talent, but this year his role is to get used to the car and the series, and work well together with the mechanics and engineers. But later we are looking for good results. It would be great if he could be in the top ten in the driver rankings in a field that has thirty drivers, but next year we would be expecting to see him in the top three of the drivers' championship.”
Kiss joins fellow Formula Renault graduate Aaro Vainio at the French team for the coming season. Doru Sechelariu had previously been confirmed to remain with the team for a second season, but it is believed Kiss has replaced him in the team. Italian Andrea Caldarelli is expected to complete the lineup after testing for the team at Silverstone.
