F2 race winner Kazim Vasiliauskas returns for second season
Lithuanian eyeing title glory and Williams F1 test drive
Formula Two race winner Kazim Vasiliauskas has become the latest
driver to be confirmed on the 2010 grid after announcing his return
to the series.
Vasiliauskas played a starring role in the 2009 season, scoring
his maiden race victory in Imola after starting from pole and
sealing seventh in the overall championship, despite it being his
first full season in single seaters.
The 19-year-old further belied his age
and relative inexperience by taking podiums at Valencia, Donington
Park and Oschersleben, and remarkably ended the season as one of
only three drivers to have scored points in every round of the
season, alongside 2009 Champion Andy Soucek and third-placed
Mikhail Aleshin. He also outscored everyone but Soucek and Aleshin
over the second half of the season, cementing his reputation as one
of the most exciting prospects in world motorsport.
Kazim, who topped the timesheets in the recent F2 test at
Portimão, made history last year by becoming the first
Lithuanian ever to compete in international single seaters. He has
also tested GP2 and GP3 during the off-season but chose to return
to F2 for a second season.
Kazim Vasiliauskas said: "For sure this year I'm expecting to
win the championship. Last year my form was very good, and I
finished the second half of the year very strongly. Now I have more
experience, and I know the F2 operation and most of the circuits on
the calendar. I believe in myself completely, so winning is the
only target.
"This year through testing I was able
to compare GP2, GP3 and Formula Two, and for me F2 represents the
best package: the car has been improved, everyone has the same
machinery and the prize is very good. F2 is for sure the right
option for me, and I would like to thank Darsena, my managers, for
giving me this opportunity. Of course it also helps that I have
already driven in the series, and now I look forward to the season
ahead!"
Jonathan Palmer, Formula Two Series Director, said: "For someone
of such little experience, Kazim made a big impact in his first
year of F2, taking an astonishing podium in the opening event at
Valencia. By competing in FPA and F2 in 2009 Kazim gained a lot of
experience and used this, coupled with his outstanding natural
talent, to be able to take his first well deserved win by Imola. I
believe Kazim has all the attributes required to earn an F1 drive
for 2011. He is always quick, makes few mistakes, is extremely
competitive and crucially very intelligent. He is going to be a
very strong challenger for the championship and should he win I
have no doubt he will impress Williams F1 when he tests at the end
of year. With the benefit of Darsena's management, I really believe
he could be the first Lithuanian in F1 in 2011."
To read more about Kazim Vasiliasukas, visit his 2010
driver's page here.
Interested drivers should contact the Championship
Co-ordinator, James Gornall, at james.gornall@formulatwo.com or on 0044 1234
332439.