Adrian Quaife-Hobbs has joined Dutch squad MP Motorsport for their first GP2 Series campaign.
The 22-year-old, who claimed the Auto GP World Series last year in style, will partner former Auto GP driver Daniel de Jong for this season.
Having already tested GP2 and Formula One machine, the determined Quaife-Hobbs has garnered a taste of top-level machinery; however budgetary issues have done much to slow his progress through the ranks in recent seasons.
Following previous experiences in Auto GP, the Englishman noted, “I’ve raced against MP Motorsport […] and naturally I know many of the personnel who came over from the Coloni team, so I’m looking forward to working with them all again.
“We had a very good finish to 2012, with two strong performances in GP2 testing, so I cannot see why we can’t build on those results as we head into the first of two pre-season tests in Spain.”
Quaife-Hobbs has previous raced on the Formula One support package, having enjoyed two full seasons in the GP3 Series with Manor Racing (now Marussia Manor). In thirty-one races, Quaife-Hobbs picked up one victory and two podiums, taking 5th overall in 2011.
This year, however, the Tonbridge resident only has the series title in his sights. “Looking ahead to the season, naturally I have to aim to win, as all drivers do, although I appreciate it’s going to be a tough challenge. The competition is always strong in GP2 and I’m sure this year will be no exception.”
Quaife-Hobbs joins several other drivers recently confirmed for GP2 driver this year including Jake Rosenzweig (Barwa Addax); Simon Trummer (Rapax); Johnny Cecotto Jr and Mitch Evans (Arden); Julian Leal and Fabio Leimer (Racing Engineering) and Rene Binder (Venezuela GP Lazarus).
Last month, it was also revealed that Hilmer Motorsport had assumed Ocean Racing Technology’s place in the series; however the German squad have yet to announce any drivers.
These team changes have been given extra emphasis this week following the revelation in Autosport that iSport are in the process of selling their GP2 entry in light of a budgetary hole {note 1}.
With the first test beginning on Wednesday at Jerez in southern Spain, eight seats remain undeclared.
2013 GP2 Series field (as of February 23rd) DAMS: Marcus Ericsson, Stephane Richemi Art Grand Prix: James Calado, Daniel Abt Arden: Johnny Cecotto Jr, Mitch Evans Racing Engineering: Julian Leal, Fabio Leimer Carlin: Felipe Nasr, Jolyon Palmer iSport: tba, tba Caterham: tba, tba Barwa Addax: Jake Rosenzweig, Rio Haryanto Rapax: Stefano Coletti, Simon Trummer Trident: tba, tba Hilmer Motorsport: tba, tba Venezuela GP Lazarus: Rene Binder, tba MP Motorsport: Adrian Quaife-Hobbs, Daniel de Jong
{note 1}
“iSport on verge of selling GP2 entry” (Autosport.com; Charles Bradley)
