GP2: Hilmer team plans comeback in 2017

Hilmer Motorsport has announced its intention to return to GP2 for the 2017 season.

Franz Hilmer's squad dropped out of the Formula 1 supporting championship during 2015 and has not raced this year. The team has been re-organized, with Maik Schiede – founder of German dairy products business Kase Maik – coming in to join Hilmer as a major partner.

"We want to return to the podium as quickly as possible," said Hilmer. "Talks with drivers who are keen on winning and who want to succeed together with us have begun.

"I am extremely delighted to now have Maik, who is a passionate motorsport supporter, on board as a shareholder. After being a fan and sponsor, Maik is now an integral part of the team."

Schiede added: "For me, motorsport is passion combined with absolute determination to perform perfectly – by everybody involved; week by week and between the race weekends. I think that we can put together a strong and young team."

Hilmer entered GP2  as a replacement for Ocean Racing Technology ahead of the 2013 season. It was a race winner with Robin Frijns, Jon Lancaster and Adrian Quaife-Hobbs in its first year but had to settle for top-five finishes in its subsequent seasons.

The team ran with Force India F1 team affiliation from 2014, when it also added a GP3 program for a single season.

Originally on Autosport.com