Jack Clarke joins Formula Two entry list

Jack Clarke

Jack Clarke has today become the latest addition to the 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship line-up.

Clarke has been a frontrunner in Formula Palmer Audi for the last two seasons, winning races in both the 2007 and 2008 campaign. He also received support from the MSA in 2008 after being awarded a place on the motorsport governing body's 'Race Elite Academy' scheme. His most notable victory of the season came at Brands Hatch on the legendary Grand Prix layout – a circuit that the FIA Formula Two Championship will visit in 2009.

The 20 year-old Englishman entered single seater racing via the Formula BMW UK Championship in 2006 where he finished sixth in the Rookie Cup, before going on to compete in the Formula BMW World Final against fellow F2 drivers Robert Wickens and Tobias Hegewald. Racing is in Jack’s heritage as his great grandfather was the founder of Motorsport magazine in the UK, and stepfather Julian Bailey is a former F1 driver and World Sports Car champion.

Jack Clarke livery

Jack Clarke said: "It is really exciting for me and I can't wait for the season to start! F2 is the best option for talented drivers, particularly those who cannot afford the sort of sums required by other series. I feel that I am one of those talents, but it is an absolute privilege to be on the grid. I obviously know that the competition is going to be of a very high standard, but I am not scared about aiming high. I know the likes of Jason Moore very well so I will benchmark my performance against his initially, but I see no reason why I cannot be challenging at the very top."

Jonathan Palmer, Chief Executive of championship organizer MotorSport Vision, added: "It is great to see Jack graduate to F2 after two very successful seasons in Formula Palmer Audi. Jack has shown brilliant racecraft with some stunning victories in the past and certainly has the potential to make it to F1. He also works hard for his sponsors and his honest, straightforward and fun character will make Jack a great asset to the FIA F2 Championship."