Marinescu will be contesting his third season of F2 - Photo Credit: FIA Formula Two Championship
Mihai Marinescu has confirmed that he will continue in the FIA Formula Two Championship this season, and says he is aiming for the title.
The Romanian will be contesting his third season in the category, which gets back underway at Silverstone this weekend.
After finishing 11th in the points in 2010 he improved to fifth place last year, scoring four podium finishes from the final three race weekends, including a pole position and victory at Monza.
He contested the non-championship GP2 race at Abu Dhabi at the end of last year with the Rapax team, but has now returned to F2 for an assault on the title and the Williams F1 test drive prize.
“I’m happy to be back in F2 for the 2012 season,” said the 23-year-old, who will continue to be backed by the Romanian Tourism Department.
“I enjoyed racing in the series, so it was a natural choice to continue here, in a friendly and familiar environment. Of course I aim to win the championship and to take the big prize – the test with the Williams F1 car – but I learned that the championship is long, you need consistency and to work very hard, every day, to achieve this dream.
“The drivers of the 2012 season are very good ones, the competition will be hard, but spectacular for the viewers. I will do my work, I will try to be on the podium on almost every race and I will fight for race wins. If I will do my job perfectly, the big prize will come.”
Series Director Jonathan Palmer confirmed that he expected Marinescu to be a leading contender in 2012.
“It’s really great to have Mihai back for 2012,” said Palmer. “He showed title winning potential last year with a superb maiden pole and lights-to-flag victory in Monza. Mihai was equally impressive during F2’s winter test programme in Barcelona ending second and third quickest, and I’m sure he will be a very strong contender for the championship title.”
