F2 newcomer Charouz signs Fuoco, Deletraz
Formula 2's new team Charouz Racing System has announced Antonio Fuoco and Louis Deletraz as its drivers for the 2018 campaign, as part of a tie-in with Ferrari.
The Czech team makes the switch to F2 - right in time for the introduction of the category's new-for-2018 car – from Formula 3.5, having swept the drivers' and teams' titles in what has turned out to be that category's final season this year.
Its new signings Fuoco and Deletraz, who both have one full year of F2 racing under their belts, will carry the Ferrari Driver Academy logo on their respective cars next season.
“I'm thrilled to welcome Louis and Antonio into our team and keen to work with the Ferrari Driver Academy for what will be our inaugural season in the FIA Formula 2 Championship,” Charouz said.
"Both drivers impressed during their rookie F2 season in 2017 and they clearly learned a lot as the year progressed.
“I'm confident they will be able to use that experience to good effect in 2018 so they are challenging at the front of what's traditionally a very competitive F2 field."
Fuoco, who has been backed by Ferrari since the start of his junior single-seater career, endured a mixed first season in F2 – finishing eighth as teammate and fellow Ferrari-backed rookie Charles Leclerc romped to the title.
The 21-year-old had struggled at the start of the year, but enjoyed a late-season resurgence, claiming a maiden win on home turf at Monza.
“I'm really happy to join Charouz Racing System and have a new challenge in F2,” Fuoco said.
“The team has a good racing pedigree after winning the World Series [Formula V8 3.5] title this year and everyone is pushing hard to do everything perfectly.
“If this happens, I know we can all do a good season together at Charouz.”
Deletraz, a former Renault junior and son of ex-F1 driver Jean-Denis, joined F2 full-time this year after finishing runner-up in Formula 3.5, where he raced for Fortec.
He ended his first year in F2 in 17th overall, having made a mid-season switch from Racing Engineering to Rapax – with the latter team not taking part in the 2018 season.
“This is a very exciting project and I think we can do great things next year,” he said.
“Ninety percent of the package will be new – the car, chassis and engine – and that's a really interesting prospect.
“Always, when a new car comes in, everyone is starting from zero. And with the talented people we have in the Charouz Racing System team, I hope it's going to be a great year.”
2018 F2 line-up so far:
| Team | Drivers |
|---|---|
| Prema Racing |
|
| Carlin |
|
| Charouz |
|
Nyck de Vries
Sean Gelael
Lando Norris
Sergio Sette Camara
Antonio Fuoco
Louis Deletraz
Formula 2 tougher than expected - Norris
Norris taking a risk with "unproven" Carlin
Why Vasseur isn't wielding the axe on Ferrari's F1 strategy team
As Ferrari reflected on the lost opportunities of the 2022 Formula 1 season, it did not take a genius to understand that strategy had been one of its core weaknesses.
Aitken confirms split with Williams F1 to focus on sportscars
Jack Aitken has confirmed that he and the Williams Formula 1 team have parted ways ahead of the 2023 season as he pursues a career in sportscar racing.
Kubica out of F1 as Orlen moves to AlphaTauri and Alfa Romeo lands new sponsor
Former Alfa Romeo Formula 1 team title sponsor Orlen has switched to AlphaTauri in a move that could spell the end of Robert Kubica’s career in grand prix racing.
Vasseur "convinced" Ferrari has everything it needs to win F1 title
New Ferrari Formula 1 boss Fred Vasseur is “convinced” the team has everything it needs to win the championship, and that targeting anything less would be a “lack of ambition.”
Ranking the 10 best drivers from F1's junior series in 2022
The ladder to F1 never gets any less slippery. But a strong cast of Formula 3 and Formula 2 aces proved sure of foot as they continued their climbs in 2022
The next steps for Pourchaire after an F2 title miss
Theo Pourchaire entered the 2022 Formula 2 season a firm favourite for the title after remaining with ART Grand Prix for a second season. But an unexpected charge from Felipe Drugovich and MP Motorsport meant the Frenchman was forced to settle for second. What went wrong for the Sauber protege, and where does he go from here?
The remarkable career turnaround of Enzo Fittipaldi
Sixth in the F2 standings heading into this month's final round, but within touching distance of third, Enzo Fittipaldi has quietly put together a strong first full season in the Formula 1 support series, recovering well from the scary Jeddah start crash that cut his 2021 campaign short. It marks a turn in fortunes for the Brazilian who thought he'd bid hopes of a career in Europe goodbye two years ago.
What the future holds for two Red Bull juniors fighting in the F2 battleground
Despite having two talented drivers, albeit at very different stages of their careers, Prema Racing has had mixed fortunes in FIA Formula 2 this year. Both drivers told Motorsport.com how they rate their seasons so far – and their next steps beyond 2022
Logan Sargeant: Carrying America's F1 hopes on his shoulders
Two feature race wins in as many rounds have helped Logan Sargeant to emerge as the closest challenger to runaway Formula 2 points leader Felipe Drugovich. The Williams F1 junior couldn't have timed his rise better, with interest in grand prix racing on the rise in his US homeland, and he could be his country's best shot at getting a driver on the grid for the first time since 2015.
What racing in Australiar the future of F1's junior series
The announcement that FIA Formula 2 and 3 would race alongside the Australian Grand Prix from 2023 came as a surprise, not only to fans but to the series’ teams too. But with Formula 1’s boom in popularity bringing more fans to the championships, team principals are relishing the opportunity
The other Doohan charting his way to motorsport success
Heading into FIA Formula 2 this season, there was a lot of pressure on Jack Doohan. The 2021 F3 runner-up joined a new team for his next challenge, as well as signing up to the Alpine Academy. He told Motorsport.com how he’s tackling the step up - with some help from his motorcycle legend father
How Drugovich plans on becoming Brazil's first F1 driver since 2017
With a chaotic but “pretty much perfect” FIA Formula 2 weekend in Saudi Arabia behind him, Felipe Drugovich now leads the drivers’ standings in his third crack at the series. The Brazilian driver reveals how he ended up back on the grid after what he thought would be his last year in the series, and shares his F1 aspirations.
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.