Dutch team MP Motorsport will join Auto GP for the 2011 season, also bringing young Dutchman Daniel de Jong as one of its drivers.
The team has competed regularly in Formula Renault 2.0 in recent years, taking race victories in both the North European Cup and the Eurocup. The expansion to Auto GP represents a move up the single-seater ladder for the team.
De Jong has strong links with the MP Motorsport team, having raced for them in Formula Renault since his debut in single-seaters in 2008. The 18-year-old from Rotterdam finished ninth in the Formula Renault Eurocup standings last year, and also took a victory in the North European Cup.
De Jong will double up his Auto GP programme with a season in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series for Comtec Racing.
MP Motorsport boss Sander Dorsman said: “We're delighted to be taking part in Auto GP this year. It's a fantastic championship and with live TV coverage on Eurosport of the races which support the World Touring Car Championship, it's great exposure. Also, our deal with Daniel is a perfect opportunity for us and we look forward working together with him again.”
De Jong added: “I'm really looking forward to trying out the Auto GP car for the first time and, naturally, I'm very happy to be running with MP Motorsport. I've built-up a fantastic relationship with the team over the last few years and we've enjoyed some great success. I'm sure we can do well together in Auto GP as well.”
Auto GP's Enzo Coloni commented: “I'm very happy of having MP Motorsport on the grid. For Auto GP it's very important to have an international and varied field, and with MP Motorsport we welcome our first outfit from Northern Europe, where lots of interesting driving talents are growing up. So this is undoubtedly good news for the championship. They will face the 'cream of the crop', but they are ready to take on the challenge and I'm sure that they will surprise many.”