Ferrari Driver Academy duo Charles Leclerc and Antonio Fuoco will both make the jump from the GP3 Series into the GP2 Series in 2017, and will race for 2016 team champions Prema Racing.
Leclerc moves up as the GP3 champion after clinching the crown in Abu Dhabi last weekend despite failing to score points in either race, while Fuoco finished third, with the Italian having been in contention for the crown until the penultimate race of the season himself.
Leclerc is delighted to be stepping up a category following his success with the ART Grand Prix team in 2016, with the Monegasque driver having participated in a handful of free practice sessions for the Haas F1 Team as well during the year.
“I am delighted to line-up for the 2017 GP2 Series with Prema and with the Ferrari Driver Academy,” said Leclerc. “I can’t wait to start preparations for this new and exciting challenge.
“After having completed my GP3 experience in the best possible way, I will continue to give my 100 percent to keep bringing home positive results. I am sure that the support of the reigning champion team, which also finished 1-2 in the 2016 driver standings, will prove crucial.”
Fuoco, who has tested with the Scuderia Ferrari team in both 2015 and 2016, is excited to be moving up to GP2 with Prema, and is hopeful of continuing his career development with the Italian team next season.
“Entering the GP2 Series in 2017 will be particularly exciting, and doing it with an Italian team which is also the reigning champion will provide some additional motivations for me to do well,” said Fuoco.
“I already raced with Prema in the past and I am aware of the high performance level of their cars, as confirmed by the outstanding results they got this season. I think that combining the potential of both the team and the Ferrari Driver Academy, we will definitely get some great satisfactions and continue in our personal and professional growth.”
