Red Bull junior Dan Ticktum will make his FIA Formula 2 Championship debut at Yas Marina circuit this weekend for Arden Motorsport.
Fresh from his successful defence of Macau GP crown, Ticktum has been given a chance to drive the F2 car for Christian Horner-backed Arden in the 2018 finale at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi this weekend.
The British racer will replace Maximilian Gunther, who has secured a seat with GEOX Dragon for the 2018/19 FIA Formula E Championship and so the focus the German driver is to prepare for the new season starting in December.
The F2 run for Ticktum will serve as a good experience but the British racer may not opt for a full season in 2019 with Red Bull keen to field him in Japan’s Super Formula series – that is if he doesn’t gets the Formula 1 break with Toro Rosso.
Ticktum will race alongside Honda junior and Ticktum’s Super Formula rival Nirei Fukuzumi. The British team has had a difficult time this year as it languishes in ninth spot but has the odd win to its name courtesy Gunther.
Meanwhile, the GP3 Series will have a new addition as well with Jehan Daruvala making his debut for MP Motorsport alongside Devlin Defrancesco and Richard Verschoor. The Indian is familiar with the team after having tested for them last year.
“After my 2017 test, it will be good to gain some more GP3 experience ahead of the 2019 season,” he said. “I’m happy that MP has given me the opportunity to do so. It’s a busy November month for me, adding Abu Dhabi straight after Macau, but that’s only good.”
“I’m pleased to welcome Jehan to our GP3 team for the final weekend in the series’ nine-year history before we move on to the all-new FIA F3 in 2019,” said MP’s team manager Sander Dorsman. “I’m sure Jehan will gel well with Richard and Devlin, and will help us wave goodbye to GP3 by going out on a high.”