In the last few days, two more drivers have confirmed their places on the grid for the upcoming GP3 season.
Filipino racer Marlon Stockinger has moved to Status Grand Prix for a second year in the category following a tough début year with the ATECH CRS team.
The 20-year-old tested with the Irish squad toward the end of last year, impressing with both his pace and technical feedback – an encouraging sign for those with aspirations of Formula One stardom.
Despite not scoring a point during his 2011 campaign, the ebullient Stockinger is confident of making his mark with Status GP.
“The winter tests went very well and we were always consistently in the top five, which is crucial in such a competitive championship as GP3. I have no doubt that the team and I can put together a strong campaign, and we’ll be looking to run at the top of the field”.
Meanwhile, Marussia Manor Racing have selected 16-year-old Russian Dmitry Suranovich to fill one of its three seats in 2012.
A winner of the KF-2 Championship and European and World Cup finalist, Suranovich got his first taste of car racing in the middle of last year, with short spells in both the Italian and European Formula Abarth championships.
Suranovich is currently lying 12th in the Toyota Racing Series following a podium at Timaru Raceway amongst several other points scores.
“I’m really happy to have secured a drive for Marussia Manor Racing, a winning team which is strongly linked to Formula One. It’s going to be an exciting season and I can’t wait to get started. It’s going to be a challenge, but I am ready for it.”
Having tested for Marussia Manor at Jerez and Valencia last year, the youngster quickly felt at home in the GP3/10 machine, setting a comfortable pace early on.
“At the winter tests last year I already felt comfortable in the car and working with the team. Now we can continue to work hard together in order to achieve the best result possible in my first season in GP3.”
Both Status and Marussia Manor are due to announce further driver signings in the coming weeks.
