Louis joins Charouz Racing System for 2018 F2 programme
Louis Delétraz will return to the FIA Formula Two Championship in 2018 after joining the new Charouz Racing System team.
The 20-year-old gave a good account of himself as he got his first taste of F2 competition in 2017, recording a season-best result of P4 at Monza and topping the time sheets at a pair of season-ending tests in Abu Dhabi earlier this month.
Returning to the Formula One feeder category was always the Swiss driver’s priority as he looks to pursue his F1 goal and he is delighted he’ll get the chance to put all the experience he gained in 2017 to good use with Charouz Racing System next season.
“I’m really happy to join Charouz Racing System because this is a very exciting project and I think we can do great things next year,” Louis said. “It’s definitely my objective to do a very strong season and use everything that I learned as an F2 rookie.”
Charouz Racing System will be a new team on the 2018 F2 grid but the Czech-based squad has an impressive pedigree in international single-seater categories. It won the World Series Formula V8 3.5 drivers’ and teams’ titles in 2017 and has also recorded success in the F3000 International and A1 GP series’.
ADS Securities-sponsored Louis and his new team-mate Antonio Fuoco will carry the same Ferrari Driver Academy logo into the new-look F2 category when the first race weekend gets underway at Sakhir, Bahrain on 6-8 April.
Louis said: “I’ve known Antonio for a few years now and I’m looking forward to working with him. It’s important to have a strong team-mate to help the team keep moving forward and I think the line-up we have is very good. I’m looking forward to being part of it.”
To add to their 2018 challenge, Louis and his Charouz Racing System team will get to grips with a new generation of F2 car next season. All new for the 2018 season, Dallara’s latest F2 chassis complies with the latest F2 safety standards and is powered by a new 3.4-litre turbo-charged Mecachrome engine, delivering around 620hp.
“Ninety percent of the package will be new – the car, chassis and engine – and that’s a really interesting prospect,” Louis explained. “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.
“I want to thank all of my commercial partners for their unwavering support and helping to make my F2 return a reality in 2018. For me, the start of the season cannot come soon enough!”
