Albon moves up to GP2 with ART Grand Prix

Alexander Albon will make the move to GP2 for ART Grand Prix after a GP3 season in which he narrowly lost the championship to teammate Charles Leclerc.

The 20-year-old made his motorsports debut for the Red Bull Junior Team in 2012 and the Louts F1 Junior Team the next year. A podium finish in the 2014 Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 and good showing in FIA Formula 3 Europe led to an opportunity with ART in 2016. Albon tested with the team in November at Abu Dhabi.

"I am really excited to be working with ART Grand Prix for a second year," Albon said. "I learned a huge amount last year and we have become one big close family. Moving up to the GP2 series is an important step in anyone's career and I am extremely fortunate to be with a top team who already understand me. There's a lot to learn coming from GP3, and the experience and method of working at ART Grand Prix is the reason they have won so many titles."

Albon was eliminated from 2016 title contention with one race remaining after they both crashed out of the opening race in Abu Dhabi. Albon, who won the pole, lost a lead after a brief safety car and battle with Jack Aitken before hitting a raised curb and launching over Aitken's car, landing heavily. With Albon crashing and Leclerc finishing fifth, Leclerc's 25-point lead was insurmountable.

"In GP3 in 2016, Alex exceeded all of ART Grand Prix's expectations by integrating himself instantly into the company and fighting for pole position and victories from the first race weekend of the season," said team manager Sébastien Philippe. "He didn't need a period of adaptation to become one of the best drivers in the category and he didn't stop progressing throughout the year. He missed the title by very little and it was through no fault of his own, either sporting or personal why he didn't clinch it. Alex soon had all the makings of a GP2 driver at ART Grand Prix and we are delighted to continue our collaboration for another year.

"It is necessary to follow the course from GP3 to GP2 and ART Grand Prix will be alongside Alex every step of the way to give him all the technical help so that he can fight at the front."