Hamilton lands ART GP seat for 2006
Lewis Hamilton, perhaps the youngest British driver with a chance to compete in Formula One in the near future, will compete in the GP2 Series in 2006 as the second driver of the champion team, ART Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton. Photo by ...
Lewis Hamilton, perhaps the youngest British driver with a chance to compete in Formula One in the near future, will compete in the GP2 Series in 2006 as the second driver of the champion team, ART Grand Prix.
"I'm really excited about 2006! It is a great opportunity to be able to be a part of ART. I'm looking forward to it after the fantastic season we had last year", Hamilton commented.
Hamilton had a fantastic 2005 season, winning in everything he raced. The Brit took the championship in the Formula 3 Euro Series Championship with the ASM team and also took the same honours in the Formula 3 Masters at Zandvoort; where he dominated the competition to score the much desired win.
Hamilton, who has the support of McLaren F1 team manager, Ron Dennis, has no problem in mentioning his high target for his first season in GP2: "I'm sure the team will do a fantastic job this year. My goal is to win races and maybe the championship, if I can. I have to work hard and make sure we maximize the time we have to develop car", he said.
The ART Grand Prix team director, Nicolas Todt, showed his confidence with his two drivers for 2006: "ART GP's first season was exceptional in terms of results, and we are now able to continue our charge in the series with the same dynamics by ensuring we have a pair of exceptional drivers, such as the combination of Premat and Hamilton".
The son of Jean Todt, Ferrari F1 team manager, didn't save words to comment on the talent of his new driver: "Lewis has proven in all the lower formulas in which he competed that he has a natural talent for driving and has displayed great professionalism. We are thrilled to be able to count on his pure speed and maturity when it comes to defending both our drivers and constructors crowns"
Frederic Vasseur was satisfied with the confirmation of Hamilton in the cockpit of one of the most important seats for 2006 in the series.
"It is a great pleasure to sign Lewis, a logical continuation for us after his title in the F3 Euro Series last year and his potential already displayed during testing in the GP2 car," Vasseur stated. "Lewis is integrated very well into the team and I am happy and proud to be able to count on him as one of our drivers"
The first time that Hamilton will sit in a GP2 car as an official ART Grand Prix driver will be on February 22nd in the series tests to be held at the Paul Ricard circuit in France.
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