Rising star Oscar Piastri’s elevation to Formula Two has been confirmed with the teenager re-signing with Italian outfit PREMA Racing.
The 19-year-old Melbourne product, who won this year’s Formula Three championship in his debut season, will move up next year to be just one step away from becoming Australia’s latest Formula One driver.
Piastri will prepare for his next step by taking part in a post-season test with PREMA at the Bahrain International Circuit next week.
Before then, Piastri will be in attendance as current PREMA driver Mick Schumacher – son of legendary German driver Michael – attempts to wrap up this year’s Formula Two title for the team.
Schumacher is widely expected to move to F1 next year with Haas, in effect making Piastri his replacement in PREMA’s F2 team in 2021.
“PREMA has proven to be the team to beat once again in F2 this year, so I’m extremely happy to be moving into the championship with them,” Piastri said.
Next week’s test will be extra vital for Piastri with the opening round of the 2021 F2 championship to be held in Bahrain.
PREMA team principal Rene Rosin said elevating the Australian to F2 was an obvious choice after his impressive F3 campaign.
“Not only he is a talented racer with outstanding speed skills, he has a clear understanding of the complexities of today’s motor sports and he is extremely adaptable,” Rosin said.
“Having witnessed his progress and success throughout the 2020 season, taking our relationship to the next step for the 2021 FIA Formula 2 Championship felt like the natural thing to do.”