GP2: Ferrari juniors to Prema for 2017

Ferrari juniors Charles Leclerc and Antonio Fuoco will graduate to GP2 in 2017 with Prema Racing.

Leclerc claimed the GP3 title in Abu Dhabi, racing with ART Grand Prix, while Fuoco was third having won a pair of races with Trident. Both drivers will start work with Prema in this week's post-season Abu Dhabi test, after it took Pierre Gasly and Antonio Giovinazzi to first and second in the 2016 GP2 standings.

Monegasque Leclerc was considered in the running for a Haas Formula 1 drive in 2017, after contesting four first-practice sessions this year, but the American team instead opted for experience with Kevin Magnussen.

"I am delighted to line up for the 2017 GP2 season with Prema and with the Ferrari Driver Academy," Leclerc said. "I can't wait to start preparations for this new and exciting challenge.

"After having completed my GP3 experience in the best possible way, I will continue to give my 100% to keep bringing home positive results.

"I am sure that the support of the reigning champion team, which also finished 1-2 in the 2016 driver standings, will prove crucial."

The deal is a return to Prema for Fuoco, who raced with the team in Formula Renault and then F3 in 2013-14.

"Entering GP2 in 2017 will be particularly exciting, and doing it with an Italian team which is also the reigning champion will provide some additional motivations for me to do well," Fuoco said. "I already raced with Prema in the past and I am aware of the high performance level of their cars, as confirmed by the outstanding results they got this season.

"Combining the potential of both the team and the Ferrari Driver Academy, we will definitely get some great satisfactions and continue in our personal and professional growth."

Originally on Autosport.com