Prema has completed its 2019 FIA Formula 3 (F3) Championship line-up with Ferrari junior Robert Shwartzman continuing with the outfit.
The SMP Racing-backed driver joined Prema for his maiden FIA European Formula 3 Championship attempt in 2018 after racing for two years in the Formula Renault Eurocup series – finishing third in 2017 with R-ace GP.
In his first year of F3 as a Ferrari junior, Shwartzman started off slowly but caught up towards the end like Mick Schumacher to take the rookie class title and finish third overall in the drivers’ standings won by teammate Schumacher.
For 2019, it was expected for him to stay in the new F3 series with Prema which has now been confirmed as he joins the already confirmed, fellow Ferrari junior Marcus Armstrong and Jehan Daruvala in the three-car line-up.
“I’m delighted to continue my relationship with Prema Racing,” said Shwartzman. “I really found great chemistry with the team especially in the final part of the season. It’s great to be part of the family and I feel particularly at ease.
“Our goal is to win the championship and I’m sure that Prema has the potential to fulfill that goal.” As mentioned before, the SMP Racing driver also remains part of the Ferrari Driver Academy for his third year after joining in mid-2017.
Team principal, Rene Rosin said: “We are elated to retain Robert for the 2019 season. He has huge talent and sheer speed so we think he can be one of those men who make the difference in motorsport.
“We are looking forward to seeing him at work in the new environment, which will give our drivers an occasion to thrive and enhance their skills and experience. We are equally delighted for the continued trust and support from SMP Racing and the Ferrari Driver Academy.
“We will do our utmost to help Robert and his teammates to succeed at the highest level.” And SMP Racing founder, Boris Rotenberg added: “Robert is a very talented driver. Last year, he finished on the podium ten times in his debut season in Formula 3 and won the race twice, becoming the best newcomer of the season.
“Robert Shwartzman also won the New Zealand Toyota Racing Series title, where he made his debut last year as well. We are sure that in the upcoming season Robert will continue to perform even more successfully.
“We are waiting for his new victories and even for the champion title at the end of the season together with the Prema team and Ferrari Driver Academy. We have high hopes for Robert, but right now everything depends only on him, on his talent, hard work and desire to win.”
2019 F3 line-up so far:
Prema – Marcus Armstrong, Jehan Daruvala & Robert Shwartzman
Jenzer – Yuki Tsunoda
HitechGP – Juri Vips, Leonardo Pulcini
ART – David Beckmann, Christian Lundgaard & Max Fewtrell
Campos Racing – Sebastian Fernandez, Alex Peroni
Carlin – Teppei Natori