ART GP have retained Aleksandr Smolyar for a second consecutive Formula Three season.
Smolyar finished 11th in his rookie F3 campaign last season with a third placed podium finish in Monza Race Two.
Speaking on his decision to “continue working” with ART for another season, Smolyar said; “We have already gotten to know each other well and the atmosphere in the team will be pleasant and familiar for me.”
The 19 year-old Russian also spoke of his aim for this season, saying; “My goal for this season is to win, of course. There can be no other goal in such a team. Also, I’ve already got the experience, so that means a lot.”
ART Team Principal, Sebastien Philippe is happy to have retained Smolyar and spoke of the Russian’s shaky rookie season saying; “Alex made a good start in his inaugural F3 season which raised our hopes, but several retirements in the early races slowed his momentum.
“He ended the year with a series of very good results in an ultra-competitive championship where it is easy to doubt and to lose your marks.”
Philippe also praised Smolyar for his contribution to the team in aiding his own development as a driver, saying; “His driving qualities are solid and he has made great personal and technical progress.”
ART’s overall aim for Smolyar is to take his late season momentum of 2020 and build on it throughout 2021, with Philippe saying; “With his new confidence and conviction of his talent, Alex should be able to join the fight for the title in 2021.”
Smolyar is ART GP’s first confirmed F3 driver for 2021 and join Carlin, HWA Racelab and Jenzer in confirming just one driver so far ahead of the new season, after the former pair announced Jonny Edgar and Matteo Nannini respectively whilst Jenzer retained Calan Williams.
PREMA and Hitech GP are the only two teams to fully finalise their F3 driver line-ups for the new season, with the Italian team fielding Arthur Leclerc, Dennis Hauger and Olli Caldwell whilst Hitech GP will field Jak Crawford, Ayumu Iwasa and Roman Stanek.
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