PREMA promote Piastri to Formula 2 for 2021

2020 Champion Oscar Piastri will make the step up to Formula 2 in 2021 with his title winning team, PREMA Racing. The 19-year-old will make his debut in F2 machinery for the Italian side at post-season testing at Bahrain in December.

The Australian driver won F3 at the first attempt in 2020, beating Theo Pourchaire to the title by three points in a nail-biting season finale at Mugello, having taken two wins and three podiums.

"I'm super excited to be racing with Prema in the 2021 FIA Formula 2 Championship,” said Piastri. “We had a very successful 2020 season, winning the Formula 3 championship together, and I’m hoping for another successful year with them.

“Prema has proven to be the team to beat once again in F2 this year, so I’m extremely happy to be moving into the championship with them. I’m very grateful to stay a part of the Prema family, and I’m looking forward to plenty more pizza and pasta!”

Piastri made the step up to F3 on the back of winning the Formula Renault Eurocup title in 2019, when he was rewarded with a contract in the Renault Driver Academy.

PREMA are currently leading the Teams’ Championship, 42.5 points ahead of UNI-Virtuosi with their driver, Mick Schumacher, first in the race for the drivers’ title. The German driver is expected to depart F2 at the end of the season, with Piastri lined up as his replacement. The Australian’s teammate is yet to be confirmed.

"We are delighted to welcome Oscar to our FIA Formula 2 team,” said Team Principal Rene Rosin. “Not only he is a talented racer with outstanding speed skills. He has a clear understanding of the complexities of today's motorsports and he is extremely adaptable.

“Having witnessed his progress and success throughout the 2020 season, taking our relationship to the next step for the 2021 FIA Formula 2 Championship felt like the natural thing to do and we look forward to having him on-track right from Bahrain"