Photo: Alastair Staley/GP2 Series Media Service
Trident Racing have confirmed that Nathanael Berthon and Kevin Ceccon will drive for the team at the opening round of the 2013 GP2 Series this weekend in Malaysia.
The Italian team have left it late to finalise their driver lineup for the new season, and at present Berthon and Ceccon are confirmed only for the first race weekend.
Berthon worked with the team at the first pre-season test at Jerez, but didn?t get to drive in the second test in Barcelona due to contractual reasons.
The 23-year-old Frenchman enjoyed a strong first season in 2012 with the Racing Engineering team, finishing 12th in the standings with two second-place finishes.
?First of all, I would like to thank Trident and all the people who made this possible,? said Berthon. ?I Know I am not in the perfect conditions since I could not complete all the pre-season tests, but I kept on working hard in case this would happen and it happened.
?I feel more than ready and I am confident for this season because I have one year experience in GP2 under my belt, but also because I feel Trident is supporting me fully and show me that they want to work and progress with me.
?I think I have all the ingredients to do a successful season and fight at the top.?
Ceccon returns to GP2 after contesting four rounds with Coloni in 2011, when he won the Auto GP title. Unable to secure a seat last year, he raced in GP3 with the Ocean team instead.
?When I realised that I was leaving for Sepang, it was a fantastic feeling,? said the 19-year-old Italian. ?The opportunity to get back behind the wheel of a GP2 car may be unexpected, but I am so excited for this.
?It will not be easy since the last time that I drove a GP2 car was in November 2011. I will also have to get familiar with the Sepang track but in spite of these challenges, I can’t wait to get back in the car. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my management, Stefano Zuech and Tiago Monteiro for all their help. They were the minds behind this opportunity and I hope to reward their trust and that of Trident Racing’s in the best of ways.?
Trident tested Formula Renault 3.5 champion Robin Frijns during pre-season, but the Dutchman has been left without a drive.