Successful Formula Renault 3.5 Series front-runner Nicholas Latifi will line-up on the GP2 Series grid with MP Motorsport this weekend, 25th/26th July, after wrapping up a deal with the podium finishing squad to contest the sixth event of the season at the Hungaroring and other selected GP2 rounds during the second half of the year.
The 20-year-old, from Toronto in Canada, makes a welcome return to GP2 having debuted in the category during the 2014 season finale at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi and joins MP Motorsport regular Daniël De Jong for rounds 11 and 12 of the current campaign.
Unsurprisingly, Latifi is relishing the prospect of a return to the FIA Formula One World Championship support series where he will pilot the car which British driver Oliver Rowland steered to two superb points scoring results last time out at Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit.
“I’m really excited to be joining MP Motorsport”, said Latifi, “I have never worked with the team before but I look forward to developing a good relationship with everyone. I have driven a GP2 car previously, and raced in Hungary earlier this year [in Formula Renault 3.5 Series], which will definitely help me getting up to speed quicker.
“Nonetheless, I know it will be a big challenge jumping into the car in the middle of the season but my goal is to just gain experience, constantly improve, and close the gap to the leaders with each track session.”
After a successful karting career, Latifi made his car racing debut in 2012 and became a race winner during his maiden campaign in Italian Formula 3. Gaining wide ranging F3 experience the following year, in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship and British F3, Latifi also starred on his debut in the RTL GP Masters of F3, finishing seventh, and in the Macau F3 Grand Prix, where he was ninth.
Continuing in the European series in 2014, where he ended the year 10th overall with one podium, the Canadian also contested six Formula Renault 3.5 races, again becoming a podium finisher, and went on to finish in the top five in the end-of-year Macau GP as well as making his GP2 debut. So far this year, he has secured a best result of fourth place on two occasions in Formula Renault 3.5.
Looking ahead to the weekend’s action, MP Motorsport’s Sander Dorsman said: “We’re really happy to welcome Nicholas to the GP2 team and we’re sure he’ll make very good progress. He has amassed a lot of experience at a very high level over the last couple of years, with impressive performances, and we’re very much looking forward to working with him for the first time.”
Latifi’s first run at the wheel of his MP Motorsport car will come during free practice at the Hungaroring on Friday, 24th July, ahead of qualifying later in the day. Race one of the weekend will take place at 15.40 (local time) on Saturday, 25th July, with race two following at 10.35 (local time) on Sunday, 26th July.
MP Motorsport Press Release