Copyright GP2 Media Service
Status Grand Prix has announced their first driver for the upcoming season: Lotus F1 reserve driver Marlon Stockinger will step up to GP2.
The Filipino-Swiss driver has already contested a successful season with the team: in 2012 he competed with Status in the GP3 Series, scoring a race win at the prestigious Circuit de Monte Carlo. He spent the two following season in Formula Renault 3.5, taking two podiums in 2014, before making the decision to return to his old team and step up to GP2 with them.
Teddy Yip is looking forward to the return of Stockinger: “We are delighted to welcome Marlon back to the team following a successful GP3 campaign in 2012,” he states. “Marlon is a hard-working and dedicated driver and we know he will apply a high level of professionalism to his maiden GP2 season.
“This season will be Status’ first year in GP2 however we have an experienced team of personnel to give Marlon all the tools he needs to succeed in this highly competitive F1 feeder series. We are extremely excited to see him progress.”
Stockinger is excited as well to take up this challenge with his old team: “It is really good to come back to Status and I have a lot of happy memories from our time in GP3, especially winning in Monaco,” the driver says. “The team are based at Silverstone which is where my European racing career kicked off and it feels very nostalgic and positive. I feel very excited to be back with the team in my first GP2 season.
“GP2 is a tough Series and this year there are some very big names chasing the title. As a rookie, I think the best thing is to aim to be in the points and finish in the top ten, progressing one step at a time and learning as much as possible during pre-season testing.”
“My fans are already so excited about what I am doing this season and guessing which team I am with. It is pretty cool that motorsport is growing more popular in the Philippines and I am really thankful to have so much support.”
Quotes: Status Grand Prix Press Release
