Up-and-coming British driver Oliver Turvey has signed with iSport International to compete in the GP2 Asia series this winter and the full 2010 GP2 season next year.
The 22-year-old from Cumbria currently competes in World Series by Renault, where he is sixth in the championship, and will miss the GP2 Asia test at the new Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi because of a clash with that series’ final races.
This month’s Jerez test marked the second year in which he had been evaluated by the Norfolk-based squad, and it saw him post the seventh-fastest time of the 45 drivers who tried out.
He said: “I’m incredibly fortunate – iSport has a great record and to be racing with them in GP2 is an absolutely tremendous opportunity for me.
“It’s a shame I’ll miss the official test at Abu Dhabi ahead of the race but there’s unfinished business in FR3.5 to be attended to first, namely finishing off with a win, if I can, and helping my team Carlin Motorsport to seal the Team Championship.”
Turvey is the most senior driver currently supported by the Racing Steps Foundation, a non-profit British organisation that helps underfunded youngsters climb the ladder of motorsport series towards the highest levels.
He said: “FR3.5 has been great experience for me. It’s a really competitive series which has taught me a lot. It’s also given me the opportunity to put a win at Monaco on my racing CV, which is something that few drivers get the chance to do.
“But now it’s time to move on which obviously I can’t do without saying a big thank you to everyone at Carlin and the Racing Steps Foundation for the fantastic support they’ve given me.”
Paul Jackson, iSport team boss, said: “We are very pleased to have Oliver on board with us for GP2 Asia which should provide him with some very good experience with the team leading into the 2010 GP2 season. He has an excellent track record in all the categories he has raced in so far and we will look to continue this with him in GP2.
“We are also honoured to be chosen by Racing Steps Foundation to help further the career of an exceptional British talent. The Foundation is providing an amazing opportunity for young drivers who would otherwise be unable to progress and we are very excited to be a part of that.”
The Foundation also announced that it had placed Formula Renault UK runner-up and BRDC Award finalist James Calado with Turvey’s old British F3 International team, Carlin.
Its founder, Graham Sharp, said: “Again we have chosen top teams to work with. iSport, who won the title in 2007 with Timo Glock, have top class credentials and we look forward to working with them.”