Hitech Grand Prix enjoyed a successful outing in the 2019 Formula 3 Championship, claiming the Runners-Up title, with four wins, one pole position and six podium finishes.
The team made the announcement that they will be stepping up to Formula 2 last month. In a two-car Hitech entry, twenty-year-old Russian driver Nikita Mazepin continues his Formula 2 campaign in 2020, making the switch to the British team. Mazepin currently competes in the FIA Asian F3 Championship with Hitech and sits third in the standings.
He previously fronted a campaign in the FIA F3 European Championship with the outfit in 2016 and 2017, before graduating to GP3 in 2018 in which he claimed the Runner-Up title, alongside his development driver role at Sahara Force India F1 team.
Joining Mazepin, Italian driver Luca Ghiotto has a record of success in Formula 2, with five victories and 21 podium finishes to date, following his debut in the Championship in 2017. Ghiotto, who was the 2015 GP3 vice-champion, challenged for the title last season, before eventually finishing in third place behind Nicholas Latifi and champion Nyck de Vries.
The team will field the Formula 2 car, a Dallara-based chassis which features a 3.4 litre single turbo charged Mecachrome engine, plus DRS and halo. Hitech will make their first Formula 2 appearance at the official pre-season tests at the Bahrain International Circuit on March 1-2-3.
Nikita Mazepin added: “I am really happy to race with Hitech as they embark on their first season in the FIA F2 Championship – it feels great to compete in Formula 2 for another season. I am very much looking forward to the challenge and it will undoubtedly be exciting, given the new car updates and 18-inch wheels.”
Luca Ghiotto commented: “I’m ready for this next challenge that lies ahead in the upcoming FIA Formula 2 Championship and I’m looking forward to getting back behind the wheel in a few weeks. I would like to thank Hitech for giving me the opportunity to join the squad on their debut in the championship. I have my sights set on a strong season with the British-based squad.”
Hitech GP’s Team Principal, Oliver Oakes, reflected on the F2 driver announcement: “As we embark on our first season in Formula 2 we were keen to secure the services of two drivers with experience and in both Luca and Nikita I feel we have a line up which will not only with allow us to get quickly up to speed with the new car, but also to fight in the front from the offset.”