Hitech Grand Prix have announced their second driver for the 2016 FIA European Formula 3 Championship season, with Russian teenager Nikita Mazepin joining the already confirmed George Russell.
The Moscow-born sixteen-year-old moves to Formula 3 having competed in the Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup in 2015, where he finished twelfth overall in the final standings in his first year of single seater racing, securing one podium finish at the Red Bull Ring in Austria, with Mazepin feeling he will be stepping up a level in 2016.
“Since the Renault season finished I have tested the F3 car a few times and I really liked it, the aero and braking is a big step forward from what I have been used to,” said Mazepin,
“There are a good number of drivers in recent times who have proved F3 is one of the very best single-seater series in the world for developing talent, so I am really happy to be racing in the FIA championship in 2016.
“This season was a good first year for me in cars; I had some good results – it was great to be on the podium at the Red Bull Ring – and learnt a lot. Now, I really am looking forward to stepping up into F3 with the guys at Hitech GP.”
Hitech GP Team Manager David Hayle welcomed the Russian driver into his team, and believes Mazepin will perform well during the 2016 season.
“We followed Nikita’s results closely over the course of this season in Formula Renault – like any young driver, the step-up from karting to cars is never an easy one but he had some good weekends, good results, and conducted himself well,” said Hayle.
“Moving up to F3 is obviously a step up from what he has done so far, but from the job he has done in testing with us I am confident in Nikita’s ability to do us proud next season in FIA F3.”
