New Zealander Richie Stanaway will return to Status Grand Prix for the official GP2 Series pre-season test at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi.
The three day test begins on Monday with the second pre-season test scheduled for the beginning of April at the Sakhir International Circuit in Bahrain.
Stanaway, who competed for Status GP in GP3 Series last year, took part on day one of the post-season Abu Dhabi test in 2014 where he finished the session as the fastest rookie.
The 23 year-old picked up two wins in GP3, at Silverstone and the Hungaroring, and five podiums on his way to 8th in the drivers championship for Status.
The Abu Dhabi test will be Status’ first GP2 outing of 2015 and the team, who are making the step up to GP2 this year, will be hoping Stanaway can provide them with some useful feedback.
“Richie is an extremely talented racing driver and following a very strong performance for us in GP3 and an impressive GP2 test, we are delighted to welcome him back into the fold,” said team boss Teddy Yip Jr.
“Loyalty is something we value at Status. This is our debut GP2 season and having worked very closely with Richie and his team of supporters, we know from experience we have a winning partnership.”
Stanaway is hoping he can take advantage of his opportunity and once again be competitive in a GP2 car: “Testing the GP2 car with Status again next week is a great opportunity for me and will be like joining the dots after being so competitive in last year’s post season test.
“Stepping up from GP3 to the GP2 car for just one day wasn’t quite long enough to reach my full potential last year. Now I am competing in the full three-day test it will be a huge benefit to me, enabling me to get up to speed and learn everything I can from the team.
“I am very happy to be back with Status and the familiar faces. We work well as a unit and I have full confidence that we can make the most of the test next week.”
