SMP Racing driver Robert Shwartzman will compete for the Prema Racing team in the 2020 FIA Formula 2 Championship alongside Mick Schumacher.
Both drivers experienced a fair share of success within the PREMA ranks in the recent past, having won the FIA Formula 3 titles in 2018 and 2019 respectively.Shwartzman will move up as the reigning FIA Formula 3 Champion and is regarded as one of the most promising new prospects for 2020. He joined PREMA in 2018, securing the European F3 rookie title. This year, he demonstrated outstanding speed in the brand-new Formula 3 series. The SMP-supported Russian, 20, scored three wins, two pole positions and a series-high ten podium finishes, clinching the title with two races still to run at Sochi.
Boris Rotenberg, founder and head of the SMP Racing program, said: “Robert took a new step in his career, now he is a Formula 2 driver. This is a new challenge for this talented driver, and we at SMP Racing are confident that he will achieve great results. Last season, Robert stood on the podium ten times, scored three victories and took the championship title in FIA Formula 3. He is purposeful, hardworking and hungry for success. We wish him great success in the upcoming season.”
René Rosin, PREMA Racing team principal, said: "We are delighted to announce a really competitive line-up for the 2020 FIA Formula 2 Championship. Shwartzman will move up to the series after being the class of the Formula 3 field this year. We are sure that his swift approach will enable him to gain great chemistry and results right away. On the other hand, Schumacher mastered a challenging rookie campaign and already scored his maiden win. On top of that, he has an outstanding potential which will definitely come to fruition. We think we can be strong contenders and we can't wait to start preparations for 2020. We are particularly proud to see drivers grow up in our family until their very last steps before F1."
SMP Racing driver Robert Shwartzman said: “I am really happy to move up to Formula 2 as it is the final step before Formula 1 and obviously a very important one. On the other hand, I am delighted to continue my relationship with PREMA Racing. It will be the third consecutive year for me with the team, so we know each other well and there is great chemistry. Our goal is to win the championship as this year we showed that, even with a new car, a lot of unknowns and high-level competitors, it is possible to be at the front right away. I’m sure we have what it takes to do it all again in 2020. I will do my best to learn the tires and car as quickly as possible so we will be at the top of our game from the very beginning. I want to thank Ferrari, the Ferrari Driver Academy and SMP Racing for helping and supporting me. I hope to reward their continued trust with some great results.”
F2 2020 calendar:
20-22 MAR – Sakhir, Bahrain1-3 MAY – Zandvoort, Netherlands
8-10 MAY – Barcelona, Spain
21-23 MAY – Monte Carlo, Monaco
5-7 JUN – Baku, Azerbaijan
3-5 JUL – Spielberg, Austria
17-19 JUL – Silverstone, Great Britain
31 JULY-2 AUG – Budapest, Hungary
28-30 AUG – Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
4-6 SEP – Monza, Italy
25-27 SEP – Sochi, Russia
27-29 NOV – Yas Marina, UAE