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Prema confirm Bonifacio’s promotion to the Eurocup

by Valentin Khorounzhiy

Photo: Chris Schotanus

Bruno Bonifacio will remain a Prema Powerteam driver in 2013, set to contest the Eurocup FR2.0 and FR2.0 Alps, the team has announced.

The Brazilian 18-year-old joined Prema for select rounds of Formula Abarth in 2011, winning the “Light” class of Formula Three Sudamericana that very year. In the beginning of 2012, he took part in the Toyota Racing Series in New Zealand, finishing tenth with one podium.

In 2012, Bonifacio contested Formula Abarth full-time and, with four wins across the two categories, finished third in the European standings and fifth in the Italian standings. He also took part in sixth FR2.0 races with Prema that year, scoring some points in FR2.0 Alps and a podium finish in FR 2.0 NEC at Spa-Francorchamps. He rejoined Giles Motorsport for another season in the Toyota Racing Series in the beginning of 2013, finishing fifth in the standings with two victories to his name.

Bonifacio, who will be promoted to the Eurocup alongside his Formula Abarth teammate Luca Ghiotto, is quite optimistic about his in the coming year: “It’s going to be an intense 2013 season as we’ll be taking part in two top-notch championships. This is the reason I decided to stay with Prema, an extremely competitive and professional team who work hard on every single detail. I’ll be at my second season with them after the fantastic 2012 experience in the F.Abarth Series. I look forward to being on the podium as frequently as possible, both in the Eurocup and in the Alps championships, and enjoying the same positive feeling I experienced in the final few races of the Formula Renault championships [in 2012].”

Angelo Rosin, team principal, was no less optimistic: “We are proud and happy to be relying on the services of a fast and consistent driver like Bonifacio in two demanding championships like Eurocup and Alps. This Brazilian driver is hungry for some major success and battle with high-quality opponents in a very competitive environment. I’m sure that Bruno has all what it takes to stay at the top consistently, and that consistency should be key throughout the year.”

The third seat at Prema in the Eurocup for 2013 is still vacant, with new Ferrari Academy recruit Antonio Fuoco a likely option.