Reigning Japanese Formula 3 Champion Nick Cassidy will return to Prema Powerteam for the 2016 season of the FIA European Formula 3 Championship.
The twenty-one-year-old New Zealander ran with the Italian outfit for two rounds of the championship in 2015, and secured two podium finishes at the Nurburgring, and will combine his Formula 3 duties with a year racing for the TOMs outfit in Super GT in Japan.
Cassidy also has European Formula 3 experience from previous spells with EuroInternational, Carlin and ThreeBond with T-Sport, but the move to Prema Powerteam will be the first time he will compete full-time in the championship.
“I am really excited to be joining Prema Powerteam for 2016,” revealed Cassidy. “It is going to be a busy year for me travelling between Europe and Japan where I will compete in the Super GT500 championship with Toms team, but after a great year last year, I feel that I am more than prepared.
“Ever since my first introduction to the team at Portimão last year I have felt very welcome, and really enjoy the family atmosphere inside the team.”
Team manager Rene Rosin has welcomed Cassidy’s addition to the Prema line-up for 2016, with Lance Stroll, Maximilian Günther and Ralf Aron already signed up, as they aim to continue their domination of both championships having taken Felix Rosenqvist to the drivers’ crown last season.
“We could not be more satisfied for the arrival of Cassidy, a really experienced driver who already showed some outstanding driving skills throughout his career, especially behind the wheel of Formula 3 cars,” said Rosin.
“When we had an open seat at the end of last season, I did not have a single doubt about having him in our team. He did a really good job straight away and he showed the attitude needed to be a part of Prema. That is why we decided to add him to our 2016 line-up.”