Louis Deletraz has switched to Charouz Racing System as Pedro Piquet graduates to FIA Formula 2 (F2) Championship for 2020 season.
Deletraz will race for Charouz Racing System in 2020 as he makes a return to the Czech outfit for his fourth F2 season alongside newcomer Piquet, son of former F1 champion Nelson. The Brazilian is graduating to F2 after four years in GP3/F3.
“I’m looking forward to working with the guys at Charouz again – many of whom are the same as when I drove there in 2018,” said Deletraz. “I know they have good experience like me so I’m confident we can put that together and do something good in 2020.
“I’m focused on fighting at the front and trying to win with Charouz. I will go there and do the maximum.” At the same time his teammate Piquet stated: “After two years in GP3 and F3, the time is right to take the next step in my career.
“I think I’m ready for the challenge that F2 will bring. I think I had some good training in the last series and that will definitely help me. I’m happy to join Charouz because they had two strong years in F2 and they have a fast car.
“One of the other reasons I decided to go there is because I know the engineering part of the team very well and I knew I would work with good people.” On the teams side, Charouz’s owner, Antonin Charouz commented:
“We’re very happy to welcome Louis back to the team and to bring in Pedro who impressed us when we monitored his progress in F3 last season. As testing showed, I think we have a driver in Louis that is capable of winning races and we believe Pedro will learn quickly and give a good account of himself as he makes an important step in his career.
“We’re excited about what the new season could have in store for us.” And finally, team principal Bob Vavrik added: “It’s fantastic that we have been able to confirm our F2 drivers before Christmas and it was particularly useful to work with Louis and Pedro across all three days of testing in Abu Dhabi.
“That allowed us to focus hard on the job that lies ahead and to lay some very firm foundations on the track before pre-season testing starts next year. I hope we will realise the benefit of that when the competition starts for real.”
2020 F2 line-up so far:
Prema: Mick Schumacher & Robert Shwartzman
HWA Racelab: Artem Markelov & Giuliano Alesi
ART Grand Prix: Marcus Armstrong
UNI-Virtuosi Racing: Callum Ilott
DAMS: Daniel Ticktum & Sean Gelael
Charouz Racing System: Louis Deletraz & Pedro Piquet
Here’s details on the changed F2 and F3 regulation for 2020