Matteo Nannini Replaces Gianluca Petecof at Campos in Baku

Campos have announced that Matteo Nannini will replace Gianluca Petecof for the latest round of 2021 Formula Two season in Baku.

Petecof will miss Campos’ trip to Baku for the latest F2 round due to budget issues but the Brazilian tweeted last night (1 June) of his thanks for having an ‘opportunity’ to have contested the opening two rounds with Campos.

Fala pessoal! Não vou correr a etapa de Baku da F2 esse fim de semana. Agradeço muito a @CamposRacing pela oportunidade de trabalhar com eles nesse início, e não sei como agradecer e retribuir todo o suporte de vocês nos últimos meses. A luta continua, sempre juntos🤜🤛🇧🇷❤️ pic.twitter.com/P99OIyvGfC

— Gianluca Petecof (@GianlucaPetecof) June 1, 2021

Matteo Nannini has consequently been called up to replace the Brazilian in Baku after having withdrew from Monaco for HWA Racelab in order to focus on his Formula Three campaign, having driven for the German team in Bahrain after initially intending to attempt a dual campaign across both F2 and F3.

Speaking on his unexpected return to F2, Nannini said: “I am very happy with the opportunity that Campos Racing has given me.  I had a special friendship with Adrian Campos.  He would have loved me to race with his team and this weekend it becomes a reality.”

Nannini also spoke of his hope that Adrian is watching over the team this weekend ‘from up there’ in heaven and has vowed to ‘give my best on the track.’

Campos’ Sporting Director, Adrian Campos-Suner Torres meanwhile is looking to build on a positive round in Monaco, as F2 return to Baku for the first time since 2019 where the Spanish team won the Feature Race with Jack Aitken who coincidentally has replaced Nannini at HWA Racelab.

Campos-Suner Torres also spoke of his sadness to see Petecof depart the team due to financial circumstances, although he hopes that the 18 year-old is able to return to the team in future.

On Nannini’s appointment, Campos-Suner Torres is hopeful that the Italian ‘will be competitive’ given his ‘huge potential’ as the nephew of ex F1 star, Alessandro Nannini.

Nannini will drive the no.20 Campos as F2 serve as support series to Formula One’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.