Photo: Zak Mauger / FIA Formula 2
Louis Deletraz has joined Carlin for the 2019 Formula 2 season – his third year in the category.
The Swiss driver had his maiden Formula 1 test with Haas in Abu Dhabi at the end of last year before linking up with Carlin for the subsequent post-season?F2 running.
He topped the times on two of the three days, and finished up fastest overall.
?I?m very happy to join Carlin for the 2019 F2 season,” he said.
“I know the team because we already worked together in the past and the F2 post-season test went perfectly.
“I?m really excited for 2019 to start, I already feel like I?m at home in the team and the motivation from everyone is amazing.”
Deletraz actually made his debut in F2 – then called GP2 – with Carlin at the Yas Marina circuit at the end of the 2016 season.
The former Formula Renault Eurocup and Formula Renault 3.5 runner-up had a difficult rookie F2 campaign in 2017, switching from Racing Engineering to Rapax mid-season and finishing 17th in the standings.
He moved to Charouz for 2018 and scored consecutive sprint race second-place finishes in Monaco and at Paul Ricard on his way to 10th overall.
“We are so pleased to welcome Louis back to the team for the upcoming season,” said team boss Trevor Carlin.
“We?ve worked with him for one race in the 2016 and in post-season testing last month in Abu Dhabi. He?s a fantastic driver to work with and I?m sure we can have a strong season together when we hit the ground running once again next season.?
Deletraz joins returning Honda junior Nobuharu Matsushita in the line-up at Carlin, which won the teams’ title upon its F2 comeback in 2018 with Lando Norris and Sergio Sette Camara.
Confirmation of Deletraz’s deal means all of the seats in the top half of the F2 grid – according to the 2018 teams’ standings – have now been filled just one week into the new year.
Only one seat outside of those teams has been officially filled: Giuliano Alesi at Trident.