European F3 runner-up Antonio Giovinazzi gets Prema GP2 seat
Formula 3 European Championship race winner Antonio Giovinazzi will race in GP2 with Prema Powerteam's new entry
The 22-year-old has spent recent years racing against Prema in F3, but becomes the team's first GP2 signing as it replaces Lazarus in the series.
Giovinazzi spent half of GP2's 2015 post-season test in Abu Dhabi with Carlin.
He will race with Jagonya Ayam backing, as he did in F3, with the KFC Indonesia brand also sponsoring Campos pair Mitch Evans and Sean Gelael.
"I am delighted to become a part of Prema, a prestigious team with a huge motorsport culture," Giovinazzi said.
"This is a great opportunity for me, because they always showed that they are the best possible choice for a young driver, and I am determined to take the best out of this chance by working as good as I possibly can."
Giovinazzi won six F3 races on his way to be runner-up to Prema's Felix Rosenqvist in the 2015 standings.
"We know him really well for being one of our most fierce competitors in the F3 European Championship last season," Prema's Rene Rosin said.
"I always admired him for what he accomplished in his so far young career so I am proud to finally see our paths crossing.
"Even though he will be a rookie in the series, I think he has all what it takes to deliver from the very beginning."
CONFIRMED GP2 DRIVERS SO FAR
DAMS: Alex Lynn, Nicholas Latifi
Racing Engineering: Jordan King
Prema Powerteam: Antonio Giovinazzi
ART Grand Prix: Sergey Sirotkin
Campos: Mitch Evans, Sean Gelael
Russian Time: Raffaele Marciello, Artem Markelov
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