Ferrari places Marciello in GP2

Ferrari protege Raffaele Marciello will graduate from Formula 3 to GP2 in 2014, the Scuderia has announced.

The 19-year-old Italian won the F3 European championship last season, and then starred in Formula Renault 3.5 testing at the end of the year. However, Ferrari informed the FR3.5 teams it was in contact with before Christmas that it would be placing Marciello in GP2.

While Monday night's announcement did not reveal which team he will race for, Ferrari is believed to have completed a deal with Racing Engineering. The Spanish squad won the 2013 drivers' championship with Fabio Leimer, and Marciello spent a day testing for it at Yas Marina in November.

Luca Baldisserri, head of the Ferrari Driver Academy that grooms its young stars, said: "Raffaele had a great 2013, winning a very important and competitive series. 2014 will be a crucial year for him, as he will compete in a series that is on the threshold of Formula 1 -- GP2."

Speaking about the FDA's 2014 season in general, he added: "In 2014 we will have to hit even more ambitious targets.

"After all, our motto is when you reach the top of the mountain, keep climbing."