Chennai's Parthiva Sureshwaren to race in F2

Chennai driver Parthiva Sureshwaren has secured a place on the FIA Formula Two grid, joining Armaan Ebrahim as the second Indian driver on the circuit this season.

Sureshwaren, who returned to competitive motorsport in 2007 after a two-year break, has the experience of driving a test car in F2 circuit and is hopeful of a good performance.

"I'm really looking forward to the new F2 season, especially as I have already tested the car in Valencia and I know most of the circuits F2 will visit. The car has good down force and good ground effect aerodynamics, so my first impressions of it were very positive," he said.

"To top that, the championship is very cost effective for such a high level of motorsport, so it's great to be joining. My aim is to regularly score points and by mid-season be in a position to score podiums, and I'm confident I can achieve that," he added.

Sureshwaren, who began his single seater career in 2001 in the British F3 National Class, went on to contest selected races in the Barber Dodge Pro Series in the USA before taking an sabbatical from the sport due to lack of financial support.

Parthiva has the experience of the F2 car, having joined the official winter test in Valencia.

"Parthiva is our second Indian driver in the 2010 championship, which really affirms F2's strong international profile, particularly in a country where the popularity of motorsport is growing so quickly now with Karun Chandhok graduating to F1," said Jonathan Palmer, Formula Two Series Director.