Kourosh Khani - Photo Credit: FIA Formula Two Championship
Iranian Kourosh Khani's place on the FIA Formula Two Championship grid for this weekend's season opener has been confirmed.
The 22-year-old steps up from Formula Renault BARC, where he has raced for the past two seasons. Last year he finished fourth in the standings, with one race win.
He will make his F2 debut at Silverstone this weekend, having got his first taste of the car at the same circuit last month in the pre-season test. He finished the day an impressive seventh fastest of the 18 drivers.
“I’m very happy and excited to be competing in Formula Two,” said Khani. “I have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time, and I’m absolutely delighted that I will be out on track this weekend after a strong outing in testing.
“Silverstone is the first track that I raced on in the UK. It’s very fast and flowing and it will be brilliant to be racing there as I make the next step in my career. I’m going to go out there, do more and try to learn as much as possible about the car.”
Series boss Jonathan Palmer said he was pleased to see Khani in F2, and suggested that more drivers should consider making the step up from Formula Renault BARC.
“I’m delighted Kourosh has joined F2,” he said. “I watched him at our Silverstone F2 test and was very impressed with just how quickly he got on the pace, especially for someone straight out of BARC Renault.
“I have always felt drivers are able to graduate far faster than convention might suggest and I am sure Kourosh will prove that moving straight to F2 from BARC Renault is a logical, sensible and very cost effective step.”
Khani joins Hector Hurst in stepping up to F2 from Formula Renault BARC, with series champion Dino Zamparelli also set to be confirmed.
