Max Snegirev switches from F3 to Formula Two
Snegirev moves up to F2 after competing in F3 in 2010. Max took part in all four days of the F2 winter testing at the end of 2010 and acclimatized very well, being regularly in the top ten on the time sheets. He was particularly impressive at Portimão, where he challenged for fastest time alongside experienced F2 drivers Jack Clarke, Alex Brundle and Benjamin Lariche.
Prior to testing, Max spent 2010 competing in the British F3 International series with Fortec Motorsport. At the end of the season he then contested the final two rounds of the Formula Palmer Audi Championship, enjoying great success as he claimed one win and three podiums from the seven races.
Max's single seater career stretches back to 2007 when he made his debut in Formula Palmer Audi. He stayed in the series in 2008, before dovetailing a season in the British F3 National class with races in Formula Renault.
He becomes the fourth Russian to compete in the new era of Formula Two, following Mikhail Aleshin, Sergey Afanasiev – who finished third in the standings in 2009 and 2010 respectively – and Ivan Samarin.
"I'm really looking forward to the season, and I'm confident I can deliver results," Snegirev declared. "After seeing how the championship was run and structured during winter testing I didn't hesitate to join, and I'm feeling really good about the season.
"I've seen already in testing the high level of professionalism, and with some great tracks this year, equal opportunity for every driver and of course the F1 and GP2 prizes, I feel F2 has very good attributes and is the best platform for drivers to develop.
"I'm not setting any benchmarks though, as a few guys have done F2 for a number of seasons and it's obviously going to be a challenge. I just want to be competitive, and I already feel good with the car after testing. I had a difficult year in F3 but at the same time I learned a lot, so I am just concentrating on my own goals and I'm extremely motivated."
Jonathan Palmer, Formula Two Series Director, said: "I'm delighted Max is joining F2. We saw at the end of 2010 he was right at the front in Formula Palmer Audi, taking a superb win at Croft. I have seen Max develop enormously from his first tentative races in FPA, which was the first time he ever raced, and am thrilled that his ability has developed so strongly. He is certainly ready to make the step up from F3 now, and F2 will provide him with the best possible learning environment through its unique concept of total equality and data sharing. We have had some very talented Russian drivers in F2 over the past two seasons, and I'm confident Max will continue the trend in 2011."