Armaan signs up for Formula 2

CHENNAI - Armaan Ebrahim, the 21-year old racing driver from Chennai, has signed up for his third season in Formula 2 (F2) championship.

Armaan had finished 10th in the championship last year scoring points in all but one round to end up with 78 points and, thereafter, was keen on doing the GP2 series, but budgetary constraints meant a return to F2 this season.

I am really happy to be returning to F2 in 2011. My confidence is high following last year, so I cant wait for the season to begin,” said Armaan.

With Formula One coming to India this year, interest is at an all-time high and if I can do a good job, it will hopefully help me in the future.

Jonathan Palmer, Formula Two Chief Executive, said: I am delighted Armaan will be returning for a third season of F2. He has shown great race craft throughout his time in the championship, and progressed impressively at the end of 2010 to claim a maiden podium in Valencia.

F2 is certainly the ideal place for Armaan as he pursues a place on the GP2 grid in 2012, and I expect him to be a definite championship contender this year.

The F2 Championship winner will be eligible for a test drive with Williams Formula One team and Armaan has that target in his sights.

Armaan ended 2010 on a high, qualifying inside the top three for both races in the final round at Valencia, Spain, and went on to secure his maiden F2 podium.

He scored strongly on several other occasions during the year, notably taking a brace of sixth-place finish on the streets of Marrakech and top five results at Monza, the home of the Italian Grand Prix, and Zolder.

Since making history as the youngest ever driver to represent his nation in the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport in 2005, Armaan has enjoyed success in a host of single-seater championships and was a race winner in Formula BMW Asia and Formula V6 Asia.

He gave reasons for continuing in the F2 series.

I proved last year that I can be fast, especially in Valencia where I sorted out my qualifying and then scored a podium. So the key will be to repeat that performance straight from the start of 2011 and be consistent.

I have improved every year in F2, and I want to keep that going. Victories and the championship are definitely the targets.

F2 surely prepares you well for GP2 as well as F1 and it is a great and very competitive series to take part in.