Bortolotti to return to F2

The 21-year-old Italian was one of the frontrunners in the inaugural year of the revived F2 series in 2009, finishing fourth in the championship.

He then moved to GP3 and had a disappointing 2010 season - finishing only 11th in the standings with Addax and losing his place in Ferrari's young driver programme at the end of the year.

Bortolotti believes returning to F2 is the best way to get his career back on course.

"I did F2 already and I was able to show very good potential, so I'm very happy to be back and I have to thank everybody who has helped me," he said.

"It won't be easy, it's going to be a fight, but I always believe in my own ability and we will see the results at the end of the season. 2009 was a very important year for me in F2, and I know how the championship works and how professional it is, which will help this year."

Despite 2010 having only delivered one podium finish, Bortolotti said the tough experience had made him stronger.

"I'm quite relaxed and for sure a lot more experienced now than in 2009," he said.

"I had some troubles in GP3 at the start as we weren't ready with the car, but I kept cool, worked hard to improve the situation and our results got better and better. I scored almost double the points of my team-mates and importantly I learned and developed as a driver, so I'm feeling confident."

F2 chief Jonathan Palmer believes Bortolotti will show what he can really do this year.

"I am really delighted to welcome Mirko back to F2," said Palmer. "He is a big talent and was one of the F2 stars when he was part of the Red Bull team."