Barwa Addax Team is delighted to present its official drivers for next season’s Asia series 2010-11 as well as the GP2 Main Series 2011, after having reached agreements with both Giedo van der Garde and Charles Pic.
The Spanish team has complete confidence in the capabilities of both drivers and is convinced that it has a team competitive enough to fight it out for both the drivers and the constructor’s championship. Barwa Addax has signed up two drivers who complement each other very well. Giedo is a well respected veteran in this class. Charles is hungry with a desire to improve on last season’s results which would probably mean he would be fighting for the title.
Giedo van der Garde, (Dutch, 25/04/1985) Well known within the world of motor racing. He is an experienced driver who last season in GP2 was competing for the team title with Barwa Addax. He has been successful through the ranks culminating when he was champion in the World Series by Renault 3,5 in 2008. Today he is considered one of the drivers on the verge of Formula 1 status. His services have been sought after by the rest of the teams in the GP2 class for the 2011 season because he has demonstrated his quality as a driver as well as a tremendous consistency that guarantees points. The great day to day work with the rest of the team is another fundamental factor.
“I am happy to have cleared up next year’s plans and would like to thank the Addax team for its confidence. The GP2 Series will be racing with a brand-new chassis in 2011, which means everyone will start from scratch with the set-up of the car. A new chassis obviously brings a great challenge so I am extremely motivated to fight for the championship and continue to work on my ultimate goal which is to race in a competitive Formula 1 seat.”
Charles Pic (French, 15/02/1990) is a young up and coming talent who at the age of 20 competed in both the GP2 Asia Series and the GP2 Main Series in 2010. In Asia he finished 5th overall and in the European Main Series he ended the season 10th, after having won the first race of the season in Montmeló, Spain. He later finished on the podium in Germany following a magnificent pole position in Hockenheim. His talent had already come to the fore in 2009 when he finished the World Series by Renault de 3,5 in third place overall, ahead of drivers who are presently racing in Formula 1 such as Jaime Alguersuari or drivers who are destined to do so like Oliver Turvey. Charles has always been highly considered as a driver and is very much part of Renault Driver Development and is a member of the French Federation of Motor Racing (FFSA).
“I am very happy to race for Addax next years; I had a great feeling with the guys! I am really looking forward to work with the team and be in Abu Dhabi for the first race, I know that it will be a hard year with strong drivers but we will work very hard to be strong and reach our targets”
Alejandro Agag: (Team Principal and owner): “I’m very excited with the addition of our two new pilots for the next GP2 season. The duo Van der Garde - Pic will undoubtedly be a major force of competition during the next year, the team to beat. A couple of pilots that will realistically fulfill our aspirations to win the pilots and teams championships. Barwa Addax will continue to demonstrate its full commitment to their pilots by delivering best in class cars and the full support of a seasoned and highly experienced team to help those achieving ambitious objectives."