Cecotto behind the wheel for Addax at the Jerez test last October - Photo Credit: Jed Leicester/GP2 Series Media Service
Johnny Cecotto Jr has defied his poor GP2 Series record thus far by securing a seat at reigning teams' champions Addax.
The Venezuelan son of the former motorcycle world champion and Formula 1 driver has finished in the points just once in 37 starts in the category since his debut in late 2009.
He went the entire 2011 season point-less for Ocean Racing Technology, but did put in an impressive performance on his Formula 1 testing debut for Force India at Abu Dhabi in November.
The 22-year-old tested for Addax at Jerez at the end of last season, and will now race for the Spanish squad in 2011. Alejandro Agag's outfit finished fourth and fifth in the drivers' standings last year with Charles Pic and Giedo van der Garde respectively. Cecotto enjoys considerable support from sponsors and politicians in his homeland, who have made the Addax drive possible.
“The fact that I'll be competing with Barwa Addax in the 2012 GP2 Series means an important step forward in my sporting career,” said Cecotto.
“I have to thank all the sponsors who have given us support in Venezuela, who believe in the work we have been doing and especially to the minister of Poder Popular for Sport, Héctor RodrÃguez, as well as viceminister Yuri Quiñones, who have given us the most support, which has meant that we can have options with the best teams in this class.”
Despite his record in the category, he believes that the jump to Addax will enable him to fight for the championship.
“At the same time I hope that I can demonstrate to the Barwa Addax Team that they were right to have placed their confidence in me. I feel certain that we will have a very successful season and will be fighting for the title.”
Agag commented: “We are delighted to welcome Johnny Cecotto on board. He is a driver we have been following over the last two seasons. In the test which he did with us in Jerez, he demonstrated his true potential, his ability to work hard and his talent as a driver.
“It's going to be very important the experience he has gained, after having competed two full seasons in the GP2 class because it will help him to adapt quickly to the new modifications to the rulings this season. We feel that he is at a very important stage in his career and we want to give him the necessary support, confident that we will achieve great results, not only with him, but also with his sponsors. We will work hard offering Johnny all the means necessary so that he can show the world his true talent as a racing driver.”
