Frenchman Pierre Gasly will complete Prema Racing line-up for its inaugural season in GP2, it has been announced. The Red Bull junior driver will join rookie Antonio Giovinazzi in the team.
Gasly, who scored four podiums en route to eighth in his debut season in the category, will also remain part of the Red Bull Junior team and will as such continue to receive the Austrian company’s support in 2016.
The 19 year-old from Rouen said in the team’s press release that his main aim for the season was to fight for the championship, something he believes he can achieve with the Italian squad.
“They have a great reputation and ability for winning championships and I know that their skills and commitment along with my GP2 experience will give us what we need this season”, Gasly said.
He added: “It will be another thrilling and very busy season continuing my work as reserve driver for Red Bull Racing but my priority is clearly to win the GP2 series.”
Gasly was undoubtedly one of the fastest drivers in qualifying trim towards the end of 2015, taking three poles in the final four meetings. Despite this dominance, he has yet to take his maidenrace win in the series.
Nevertheless, Prema Racing team principal Rene Rosin is confident that his new signing, who drove for the team in the post-season test in November, is capable of breaking his duck in 2016.
In the team announcement, he said: “We could not have selected a better driver for our maiden GP2 Series campaign.
“Gasly is an extremely talented and skilled driver. I’m sure that this year, with all the experience he matured in 2015, he will make a further step.”
