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| April 13, 2011 |
| F2: Marinescu Commits to Series for 2011 |
 | Mihai Marinescu returns to the Formula Two Championship in 2011
(Photo: MotorSport Vision) |
Romanian Mihai Marinescu has confirmed he will return for a second season of F2 competition, after an accomplished debut campaign last year. He will join the grid at Silverstone this weekend (April 16-17) after receiving backing from the Romanian Tourism Department, the City of Braşov and KG Clean Energy. He becomes the 21st driver to be confirmed so far in the 2011 championship.
Marinescu joined Formula Two on the back of a competitive year in Formula Renault 3.5 with the Interwetten team, and he scored nine points finishes over the course of the 2010 season. He made a composed start to his F2 campaign with two top-eight results in the opening round at Silverstone, before superb qualifying performances at Monza saw him line up third and fifth for the two races – his best two results of the year. He finished fifth in the opening race, but clashed with Jack Clarke in the second and retired.
Points finishes in both races at Zolder followed, before Marinescu took his best result of the year at Portimão – narrowly missing out on a maiden F2 podium after storming from tenth on the grid to fourth at the chequered flag. A sixth place finish in the second race at Brands Hatch followed, before he finished his season on a high with sixth place finishes at Oschersleben and Valencia, having qualified inside the top eight for both races. He finished the year a very respectable 11th overall.
Marinescu's racing career stretches back more than a decade to karting, when he won four consecutive national titles and enjoyed strong success internationally. He made his single seater debut in 2005, when he competed in a variety of Formula Renault categories alongside a full campaign in Formula Junior 1600 Italy, in which he finished runner-up at the first attempt - ahead of current Toro Rosso F1 driver Jaime Alguersauri. Mihai switched to Formula BMW Europe in 2008, finishing 11th overall, and won the Formula BMW Pacific race that supported the annual Formula Three Macau Grand Prix before moving into Formula Renault 3.5 for 2009.
“Last year was really good and I’ll be putting that experience into good use this time. Silverstone testing went well and I feel confident with the track, so it’s a great opportunity for the podium,” stated Marinescu. “In the championship I want to finish in the top three but I have my eyes on the Williams F1 test.”
“It’s really great to have Mihai back for 2011,” Formula Two Series Director Jonathan Palmer. “He showed great promise last year and given his impressive run in pre-season testing I’m sure he will be a strong contender for podiums, and maybe even race wins, starting from Silverstone this weekend.”
The 2011 FIA Formula Two Championship will commence at the Silverstone Circuit on the Arena F1 circuit on April 16-17. |
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