After Carlin in F3 and Campos in GP2, it is now Arden’s turn to team up with Jagonya Ayam for the 2017 GP2 Series season with Sean Gelael and Norman Nato as their drivers.
Arden International confirmed the arrival of Sean Gelael for his second full season in GP2 Series. If the Indonesian shone in LMP2 alongside Antonio Giovinazzi, his single-seater career is more difficult with a lone podium last year in Austria alongside his teammate Mitch Evans. He finished the championship 15th overall. He will continue his GP2 campaign with Arden and comments:
“I am really pleased to join Pertamina Arden this year. It’s a very experienced team who has shown consistency through the seasons. The post-season test in Abu Dhabi went well so it was obvious to keep working together for the 2017 season.”
Sean Gelael’s arrival at Arden implies the arrival of his powerful sponsor, Jagonya Ayam, as title-sponsor. Therefore, the team will be renamed as Pertamina Arden and will run under both British and Indonesian flags.
Furthermore, Norman Nato returns to his first team in GP2 for his third season in the category. After one learning-curve year in 2015, he shone last year with two victories and a fifth place overall with Racing Engineering. He comments:
“ I am very happy to join the Jagonya Ayam family and to re-join Arden this season for the GP2 Series. It is where I made my debut in GP2 so it’s great to be back again. Last year was a strong season for me so I’m really optimistic we can do a good job with Sean and the team”
Since their third place in the team championship in 2012 with Luiz Razia, Arden went through several tough seasons without victory. But if the GP2 team keeps on the good dynamic of the GP3 team, Arden could get back to victory.