Photo: Zak Mauger / GP3 Series Media Service
Niko Kari will contest the new FIA Formula 3 Championship this year with Trident.
Kari set the fastest time in the final ever GP3 test in Abu Dhabi at the end of 2018 while driving for Trident, stepping back down to the category after contesting the final two rounds of the Formula 2 campaign for MP Motorsport.
The 2015 Northern European Zone Formula 4 champion competed as a Red Bull junior in European F3 in 2016 and GP3 in 2017, winning a race in the latter on his way to 10th in the standings.
He switched to MP Motorsport last season but scored just six points in 14 races before stepping up to F2, where he qualified 14th and 11th in his two appearances.
?I am excited to race under the Team Trident banner in the 2019 FIA Formula 3 Championship,” Kari said.
“I am sure that we will reach absolute-level results together. I have been in touch with the team for years. We enjoyed some great testing sessions at the end of the last season at Abu Dhabi and there are now the right conditions to work together.
“The team is extremely high-level, technically and from a human standpoint, and I am sure there will be chemistry needed to experience a front-running season. I cannot wait to be on track.?
Kari is the first driver that Trident has named for FIA F3. Pedro Piquet and Devlin DeFrancesco are believed to also be part of the team’s line-up.
?Niko has the potential needed to aim for the title and make the step to the major racing series, in line with his skills,” said team manager Giacomo Ricci.
“I can assure that Team Trident will give its best to help the new driver to reach a well-deserved success.?
Trident finished second in the teams’ championship in each of the last two seasons of GP3.