King to GP2 with Racing Engineering

Jordan King will graduate from European Formula 3 to GP2 with Racing Engineering in 2015. The 2013 British F3 champion tested with Arden and MP last winter, and had tried the Addax team's car a year earlier, before opting to go with Racing Engineering.

King believes the team that ran Fabio Leimer to the 2013 GP2 title offers an advantage because it does not operate in other series alongside its commitment to the Formula 1 feeder.

"There were a lot of factors to take into consideration and I did a lot of research and thinking before reaching a conclusion," said the 20-year-old Briton. "As a rookie entering a new championship, it's very important to go with an established and experienced team, and Racing Engineering ticks all the boxes. They have a tremendous amount of knowledge and expertise and all the necessary resources at their disposal, and they understand how to get the best out of young drivers - which is just what I need at such a crucial stage of my career.

"It's an ultra-professional team whose sole focus is on GP2, whereas a lot of other teams compete in several different championships – and in my view, this single-minded approach can only be beneficial."

Team boss Alfonso de Orleans-Borbon said he had "rarely seen a driver so determined and hard working" as King.

"We have been following Jordan's career path for some time now and what really convinced us was his professional approach to racing, both on and off the track," he said. "2015 will be Jordan's rookie season in GP2 and though there are many things to learn before the first race in Bahrain, we have high hopes he will advance rapidly. We are sure it will be a pleasure to work with such a professional, mature and dedicated driver."

King has spent the past two seasons in F3, dovetailing his British title-winning campaign in 2013 with finishing sixth in that year's European series, where he came seventh in 2014.

Racing Engineering won in GP2 with Ferrari protege Raffaele Marciello last year, but the Italian has moved to Trident for 2015.

2015 GP2 FIELD SO FAR

DAMS

Pierre Gasly, Alex Lynn

Carlin

Marco Sorensen, Julian Leal

ART

Stoffel Vandoorne, tba

Racing Engineering

Jordan King, tba

Trident

Raffaele Marciello, tba

Campos

Arthur Pic, tba

Arden International

Norman Nato, tba

Yet to announce drivers: Russian Time, MP, Rapax, Status, Hilmer

Originally on Autosport.com