GP2: Hilmer returns with Cecotto, Yelloly

The Hilmer Motorsport team will return to the GP2 grid at Barcelona this weekend after signing Johnny Cecotto Jr. and Nick Yelloly.

The German squad withdrew from the opening round of the season in Bahrain three weeks ago, with team principal Franz Hilmer citing an inability to find drivers with the necessary budget. But it has now recruited four-time GP2 race winner Cecotto and former Formula Renault 3.5 frontrunner Yelloly.

The team is understood still to be in negotiations with both drivers for the longer-term, but a spokesperson confirmed that the aim is for the pair to continue with the team for the rest of the season.

Yelloly tested for the team on all three days of the second pre-season test in Bahrain and will make his GP2 debut this weekend.

Cecotto's GP2 career stretches back to 2009, when he made his debut for David Price Racing. After finishing fifth in last year's championship with Trident he started 2015 without a drive – although he was called up to contest last weekend's Auto GP season opener at the Hungaroring for Virtuosi UK.

• NBCSN airs GP2 Race 1 from Spain at 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Originally on Autosport.com