Super Nova signs Ericsson, Kral

The team is the third GP2 outfit to announce an all-rookie pairing for the coming season, following ART with Jules Bianchi and Sam Bird, and Ocean Racing with Max Chilton and Fabio Leimer.

Ericsson clinched the Japanese F3 title last season as well as winning twice on guest appearances in British F3 and finishing fourth in the Macau Grand Prix. The 19-year-old is currently driving for ART in the GP2 Asia Series.

"It's great for me to be in GP2 and with Super Nova," Ericsson said at AUTOSPORT International on Thursday. "Because of their track record I'm sure they'll have a very competitive car.

"You always strive to try to win so that's what I'm going to do. It will be tough but we're not here to finish second."

Fellow 19-year-old Kral finished third in International Formula Master last year, and previously finished runner-up to Ericsson in Formula BMW UK in 2007. Kral is also racing in GP2 Asia and finished on the podium with Super Nova on his debut at Abu Dhabi in November.

"I'm really pleased to be joining this series with Super Nova," said Kral. "I think we can be successful and I will give the maximum with the team. I had a good result already in Abu Dhabi with Super Nova so I hope to continue this form."

Super Nova boss David Sears believes his team be competitive with two rookies, having seen the approach work for champion team ART with Nico Hulkenberg last year.

"We've had a complete change of policy," Sears said. "ART have done it with rookies, why can't we? I've been very impressed with Marcus and Josef for a long time. They took the British Formula BMW title down to the wire together, banging wheels, and we've kept an eye on both of them since.

"Marcus came and introduced himself to us at the British Grand Prix in 2007, as a 16-year-old with no father, no manager with him. He said he'd like to drive for us for one and I was impressed, so we kept an eye on him since then."