French team DAMS has confirmed its line-up for its debut season in the GP3 Series.
It was confirmed last October that DAMS would be expanding its Formula E and GP2 operations to also include GP3, fielding three cars in the series from 2016.
DAMS will race with an all-rookie line-up for its debut GP3 season, including American youngster Santino Ferrucci, who steps up from the FIA F3 championship.
Ferrucci, 17, of Woodbury, CT, tested with Status Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi last year, and is relishing the opportunity to race in GP3 this season.
“I’m really looking forward to working with DAMS, who have always been front-runners in everything they’ve done,” Ferrucci said.
“It was really fun to test the car in Abu Dhabi last year ahead of what is both of our rookie years in GP3. The strategy looks like it could take some getting used to, but the team are really professional and I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together.”
Ferrucci is joined at DAMS by British youngster Jake Hughes and Swiss racer Kevin Jörg.
Hughes won the BRDC Formula 4 in Britain two years ago before finishing second in last year’s Formula Renault 2.0 ALPS, as well as racing in the Eurocup series where he ended the season sixth in the final standings.
“It’s an honor to be working with a team as fantastic as DAMS, who have a track record of doing well with new challenges,” Hughes said.
“I tested a GP3 car for the first time in Abu Dhabi last year and I immediately got on with both the tires – which I know can be a challenge – and the car as a whole, so that makes me confident of a good year.”
Jörg moves into GP3 from Formula Renault 2.0 NEC, where he finishes second in the 2015 championship.
“Obviously we’re all new to GP3, and there are always a lot of strong drivers in this series, but I’m confident that with DAMS we can achieve some good results,” Jörg said.
“I was quick in the Abu Dhabi test last year – twice coming second fastest – and adapted to the car pretty quickly. Tire management is key in GP3, and I’m sure we’ll focus on this during pre-season testing.”