Another F2 season for Armaan in 2011

Confident after an impressive showing in the season gone by, young Indian racer Armaan Ebrahim today decided to continue his stint with the FIA Formula Two Championship in the 2011 season.

Armaan was keen to race in GP2 series this year but budget constraints poured cold water on his plans, leaving F2 as the best option.

The Chennai racer had earned his maiden podium finish at Valencia in the season-ending final rounds in 2010 and after consultations with his sponsors, decided to return to F2.

The 21-year-old Armaan had finished 10th in the overall championship in 2010 but the organizers see him as a championship contender this time around.

"I am really happy to be returning to F2 in 2011. There are some legendary circuits on the calendar this year and my confidence is high following last year, so I can't wait for the season to begin.

"With Formula One coming to India this year, interest is at an all-time high and if I can do a good job, it will hopefully help me in the future," Armaan said in a press release.

Jonathan Palmer, Formula Two Chief Executive, said, "I'm delighted Armaan will be returning for a third season of F2. He has shown great race craft throughout his time in the championship...F2 is certainly the ideal place for Armaan as he pursues a place on the GP2 grid in 2012, and I expect him to be a definite championship contender this year."

The F2 Championship winner will be eligible for a test drive with Williams Formula One team and Armaan has that target in his sights.

Armaan ended 2010 on a high, qualifying inside the top three for both races in the final round in Valencia, Spain, and went on to secure his maiden F2 podium.

He scored strongly on several other occasions during the year, taking a brace of sixth-place finish on the streets of Marrakech and top five finish at Monza, the home of the Italian Grand Prix, and Zolder.

"I have improved every year in F2, and I want to keep that going. Victories and the championship are definitely the targets.

"After detailed evaluations with my internal team and my core sponsors, JK Tyre, CSEPL and Amaron supported by Trimex and Meco Motorsports, we decided that one more year in F2 is the best option amongst any other series to do well, win the championship if possible and then get organized for the GP2 Series in 2012 as well as an opening for a Test drive with a Formula 1 Team.

"F2 surely prepares you well for GP2 as well as F1 and it is a great and very competitive series to take part in," he said.