Sauber Junior Team added Matevos Isaakyan to his Formula 2 driver line up for the remainder of the 2019 season.
The Russian is a member of the SMP Racing Programme and will partner Callum Ilott for the season-closing F2 races in Sochi (27-29 September) and Abu Dhabi (29 November-1 December).
Matevos will drive the #12 Sauber Junior Team by Charouz car that has not been raced since Juan Manuel Correa was involved in a tragic accident at Spa-Francorchamps last month. The American remains in a stable condition in a UK hospital.
Having raced in GP3 and finished P2 in the World Series Formula V8 3.5 championship during 2017, 21-year-old Matevos has most recently raced an LMP1 car in the World Endurance Championship for the SMP Racing squad.
Antonin Charouz, Charouz Racing System owner, said: “We’re pleased to welcome Matevos to the team for his home F2 race in Russia and also the final round in Abu Dhabi. He has a proven pedigree in single-seater racing and we’re excited to see him join the F2 grid. It’s always a difficult situation when one driver stands in for another but we’re ready to do our best and to finish the season positively.”
Matevos Isaakyan said: “I’m excited to drive in the F2 championship, especially in my home Grand Prix. This is quite an unexpected development in my season but I’m very thankful for this opportunity and happy to join the team. It won’t be an easy job as I’ll be jumping straight in the car for Sochi practice.”
“The biggest thing will be understanding the tyres – that will be the main focus for me as it was when I did GP3. But I don’t think it will be an impossible task to try and get into the top-ten and score some points.” Te Russian driver added