PREMA Racing announced that Mick Schumacher and Robert Shwartzman will compete for the team in the 2020 Formula 2 Championship.
Both drivers experienced a fair share of success within the PREMA ranks in the recent past, having won the FIA Formula 3 titles in 2018 and 2019 respectively.
20-year-old German Schumacher will return with the team for a fifth consecutive year. After jo ning PREMA in Formula 4, with impressive performances both in the German and Italian F4 championships, he went on to win the Formula 3 European title in 2018.
In his rookie F2 campaign, he delivered consistent improvement, quickly cruising to multiple points finishes and securing his maiden win at Hungaroring in August. His skills and experience are set to be key in an effort to take a further step towards the top.
Shwartzman will move up as the reigning FIA Formula 3 Champion and is regarded as one of the most promising new prospects for 2020. He joined PREMA in 2018, securing the European F3 rookie title. This year, he put up an outstanding performance in the brand-new Formula 3 series. The 20-year-old Russian, SMP Racing supported driver, posted three wins, two pole positions and a series-high ten podium finishes, clinching the title with two races still to be run at Sochi.
Relying on an impressive line-up, PREMA Racing has its sights set on a successful run in the season ahead. The team is also privileged to line-up two Ferrari Driver Academy racers, a combination that already led to great accomplishments in the past.
Team Principal René Rosin siad: “”We are delighted to announce a really competitive line-up for the 2020 FIA Formula 2 Championship. Shwartzman will move up to the series after being the class of the Formula 3 field this year. We are sure that his swift approach will enable him to gain great chemistry and results right away.”
“On the other hand, Schumacher mastered a challenging rookie campaign and already scored his maiden win. On top of that, he has an outstanding potential which will definitely come to fruition. We think we can be strong contenders and we can’t wait to start preparations for 2020. We are particularly proud to see drivers grow up in our family until their very last steps before F1.”
Mick Schumacher commented: “I am entering my second F2 year with very valuable lessons learned, both in the way to handle the car and tyres but also to work in a bigger team environment. I will certainly build up on this experience when I go into a season that I cannot wait to start.”
“Teaming up again with Prema seems only natural, since we work and grow together since so long now, and I can only thank them for again giving their trust in me. I’ll definitely give anything to prove them right.”
Robert Shwartzman added: “I am really happy to move up to Formula 2 as it is the final step before Formula 1 and obviously a very important one. On the other hand, I am delighted to continue my relationship with PREMA Racing. It will be the third consecutive year for me with the team, so we know each other well and there is great chemistry.”
“Our goal is to win the championship as this year we showed that, even with a new car, a lot of unknowns and high-level competitors, it is possible to be at the front right away. I’m sure we have what it takes to do it all again in 2020. I will do my best to learn the tires and car as quickly as possible so we will be at the top of our game from the very beginning. I want to thank Ferrari, the Ferrari Driver Academy and SMP Racing for helping and supporting me. I hope to reward their continued trust with some great results.”