Arden Motorsport will leave FIA Formula 2 (F2) Championship from 2020 onward with HWA Racelab taking over the team’s slot.
Arden has been part of the GP2/F2 journey for over a decade and this year, they entered the championship in collaboration with German company HWA AG with the support of BWT and ran as ‘BWT Arden’, with a striking pink livery.
However, from 2020 onward, HWA will take over the British outfit’s slot and run as ‘HWA Racelab’ as it did in 2018/19 FIA Formula E Championship. It already competes with the same name in the FIA Formula 3 Championship.
The idea for HWA is to continue developing young drivers but now in the single-seaters forum after their success in DTM. HWA AG CEO, Ulrich Fritz said: “We are looking forward to this challenge in another Formula series for young drivers.
“Alongside our involvement in the FIA Formula 3 Championship, we are now also represented on the next level of the FIA Formula Pyramid, ensuring a continuous development of talented motorsport youngsters.
“It is also further evidence of the 360° motorsport expertise of HWA. From the promotion of young drivers and Formula E to the DTM and GT racing, we now cover an incredibly broad spectrum.” At the same time, Arden will look for other avenues.
“Arden has successfully competed in the premier F1 feeder series for over 20 years and we have now decided to step back from the category in order to explore other avenues,” said Garry Horner – father of Christian – Arden CEO and Team Principal.
“We have enjoyed our time in the GP2 and F2 Championships and, at some point in the future, may consider returning to the grid. Never say never.” It started the 2019 F2 season with Tatiana Calderon and Anthoine Hubert but sadly lost the Frenchman at Spa.
He has been replaced by Artem Markelov as both the Russian and the Colombian will race for the final time in BWT Arden colours at Yas Marina Circuit. F2 CEO Bruno Michel thanked Arden and welcomed HWA Racelab full-time in the series:
“First of all, I would like to thank Gary Horner and everyone at Arden International for their involvement and hard work throughout the years. They have been with us since the beginning. I wish them many successes in their next endeavours.
“I would like to welcome HWA RACELAB in Formula 2. They are a force to reckon with in motorsport and I am convinced that they will adapt quickly to our championship.” The drivers of the new team will be announced at a later stage.