Only six Formula Two drives still available

With a total of 18 drivers now signed to compete in the 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship and with driver announcements rolling out every few days, time is running out for the precious final few drives to be claimed.

Following substantial interest from prospective drivers, last December the number of available cars in Formula Two was increased from 20 drivers to a maximum of 24. Of the many drivers still trying to confirm budgets to join the F2 grid, over 14 say they are determined to be there and are rushing to be in a position to be awarded one of the final places.

Jonathan Palmer, Chief Executive of championship promoter MotorSport Vision, said: "Of course I am absolutely delighted with the response to the new FIA Formula Two Championship, but not surprised. Never in the history of motor racing has there been a new FIA championship that has combined such performance, safety and quality with such astonishing cost effectiveness. In any climate F2 was going to succeed; in the current global economic climate that success is coming even faster than we anticipated.

“I have no doubt that we could fill 36 cars if we had them, but sadly a line had to be drawn and our level of capital investment in this project is going to be well over £6 million as it is, to run the 24 cars. Williams F1 are putting a huge amount of effort into making the Williams JPH1 F2 an outstanding new car and I think people are going to be very impressed when they see it; Patrick Head has really taken this project to heart and Williams have a great team working on it.

“The introduction of F2 is perfectly timed and will be a crucial career lifeline for many drivers, who simply could not have found the budget to secure a competitive drive in GP2 or Formula Renault 3.5. The caliber is already high, with Formula Renault 3.5 runner-up Julien Jousse and F3 Euro Series and A1GP race winner Robert Wickens, and F2 will be gaining further top names over the next week or so. Even in its first year the quality of the F2 grid is going to be high and it will only become stronger still in future."

Any interested drivers wishing to be considered for one of the final six places in the 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship are advised to urgently contact Championship Co-Ordinator Chris Dredge at chris.dredge@formulatwo.com, on 07872 674012 or on 01234 332439.