McKenzie tried the F2 car for size in testing at Barcelona last December - Photo Credit: FIA Formula Two Championship
British driver Daniel McKenzie has joined the FIA Formula Two Championship for the 2012 season.
The 23-year-old makes the switch from the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, where he endured a tough rookie season in 2011 in which he could only manage a best result of 12th at the final race of the season.
In 2009 he won the British Formula 3 National Class, and won two races in the main category the following season on his way to ninth in the final standings.
The Reading-born driver made his debut behind the wheel of the JPH1B car in winter testing at Barcelona at the end of last year.
McKenzie recently joined the 2mb driver management stable run by former Grand Prix driver Mark Blundell, and joins a fellow new recruit of Blundell's – Hector Hurst – in committing to Formula Two. He is the third British driver to sign up to the series ahead of the first race of the season at Silverstone next month, together with Hurst and Luciano Bacheta.
“I'm really looking forward to this season,” said McKenzie. “I'm certainly not in it to make up the numbers, I want to win and the Williams F1 test is a massive incentive. I enjoyed driving the car during the Barcelona test and once I'd got used to the turbo I found it really pleasurable to drive.
“The equality of F2 really appeals to me as well, as everyone has the same chance of winning as there's a completely level playing field. It's also a very prestigious series that offers great value for money and I'm looking forward to being a part of it.”
Jonathan Palmer, Formula Two Series Director, said: “I'm delighted Daniel is joining the F2 grid this season. His strong performances throughout his career, in particular in F3, have marked him out as one of our leading home grown talents.
“The equal environment of F2 means he has every chance of being on the pace of the returning drivers from the very start and I expect it won't be long before he's achieving podium finishes in 2012.”
