Italian Formula 4 champion Ralf Aron has followed in the footsteps of Lance Stroll by staying with Prema Powerteam and moving into the FIA European Formula 3 Championship.
The seventeen-year-old Estonian driver took nine wins on his way to the title in Italy in 2015, ending the year 108 points clear of his closest opposition, and joins Stroll in the team for 2016 after joining in some of the test days with Prema post-season.
“I am very happy to make the step from Formula 4 to Formula 3 and specially with Prema,” insisted Aron. “We had a fantastic season together and I am grateful for the opportunity, hopefully I can make them proud again.”
Team manager Rene Rosin felt promoting Aron to the Formula 3 squad was the most ‘logical’ decision after his impressive season in Formula 4, and admitted he was impressed with how he adapted to the Formula 3 machinery during the tests.
“Continuing our relationship with Aron really seemed like a logical choice for us,” revealed Rosin. “After the extremely successful year we experienced together in Formula 4, running really well both in the Italian and in the German series, I was really curious to see him behind the wheel of our F.3 machinery.
“He impressed us straight away and even provided technical insight like a seasoned veteran. It felt just right to welcome him to our Formula 3 operation and line-up together for a new challenge in 2016.”
