Nikolay Martsenko and Riccardo Agostini will make their respective GP3 Series débuts with Hilmer Motorsport at the Red Bull Ring this weekend.
Although Martsenko started the season competing in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, the 20-year-old has endured staggered opening half to the year.
Martsenko had competed with Comtec Racing in the opening two rounds of the FR3.5 Series, claiming a runner-up finish at Motorland Aragon; however budgetary issues curtailed his running. As such, it is unknown how long the Russian has registered for or if this was just a one round deal.
Although Martsenko has raced at the Red Bull Ring previously, the Russian acknowledged that GP3 was an entirely new prospect. “It will be my first experience at the wheel of GP3 car but I will do my best to achieve good result. I’m well prepared and I will give everything for the team.”
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Meanwhile, former FIA European Formula 3 racer Agostini will also appeared at Hilmer. The Italian ran at the opening three rounds of the F3 series with EuroInternational; however his campaign came to an abrupt halt following the visit to the streets of Pau last month.
Agostini commented, “I am happy to debut in the GP3 Series with the Hilmer Motorsport. I met the team and I feel to have a good relationship with everyone. The partnership with a F1 team such as Force India is an added value.”
He added: “In this championship a positive result has a double value. It’s a unique opportunity to be under the spotlight, even if the level of the series is very high.”
The duo replaced Ivan Taranov and Beitske Visser; both of whom had only signed with Hilmer for the season opener.
