The Arden International GP2 Team is delighted to announce that semi-sophomore and Formula Master frontrunner Josef Kral along with F2 Vice-Champion Jolyon Palmer will be joining the team for the GP2 Asia and GP2 Main Series in 2011.
Josef Kral (20), from Czech Republic, is joining Arden International following a part-season in both GP2 Asia & GP2 Series during 2010, completing this graduation with a day during the F1 Rookies Test Days in Abu Dhabi last November.
Jolyon Palmer (20), from Great Britain, is graduating to GP2 with Arden International having finished in second place, dominating the early half of the Season, in the FIA Formula 2 Championship last year.
Josef Kral comments: “I am very happy to be part of Arden GP2 Team and I can´t wait to start working together. After such a difficult season, when I missed some races because of my back injury I hope that we can make up for it in 2011. After the test in Abu Dhabi where we showed that together we can be right on the top I felt that this is the right decision. I am sure that Arden experience will be very helpfull in the development of the new car and I will do my best to show that their choice was the right one.”
Jolyon Palmer comments: “I’m really excited to be joining the Arden GP2 Team for 2011, and I can’t wait for the season to start. It’s obviously going to be very tough, as indeed it should be, but I feel confident that two seasons of F2 have given me a very good grounding and I’m looking forward to rising to the challenge. Arden have tremendous experience and have had great success in the past, and I hope my performances will reward the faith they have showed in selecting me.”
Arden International Team Manager, Richard Dent comments: “We are very excited to secure Josef and Jolyon for both 2011 GP2 Championships. We have been watching Josef closely for some time and our confidence in him was increased when we tested him at the end of 2010. He showed us his technical feedback and pace, two skills that will help us with this third generation of GP2 car. We didn’t test Jolyon at the end of last year but watched with interest and we were impressed with what we saw.
Now on Pirelli tyres, it promises to be another exciting season and with Josef and Jolyon on board I am sure Arden will be pushing hard in the Championship.”
Christian Horner comments: “We are delighted to have Josef and Jolyon join our team for GP2 Asia and Main Series in 2011. Both drivers are young but have a lot of talent, which im sure we will see throughout the year. Despite Josef’s modest attendance in GP2 last year, he has shown a good understanding of the GP2 car and collaborated well with the team during the Abu Dhabi test. Jolyon demonstrated strength during the post-season tests and will no doubt be a front-running rookie. We look forward to a successful year together.”