Surtees: The Official Website

Surtees name returns to Formula 2

Henry Surtees has confirmed his participation in F2 after a busy 2008, having competed in the Formula Renault UK Championship and Winter Series along with racing in two British Formula 3 National Class races at the end of the season. The 17 year old finished as runner-up in the Formula Renault UK Winter Series and during an impressive F3 appearance at Donington Park he won one national Class race and finished on the podium in the other: "It is the right time for me to make this step up to F2," said Surtees. "It is a great opportunity."

F2 is attracting the attention of international race winning drivers, and it is a challenge he is looking forward to: "It is going to be tough," he said. "But great competition is exactly what I am looking for. I am really excited about 2009 and now I just cannot wait to see the car!"

"I think it is fantastic," said John Surtees. "I won my last race in Formula Two and we are using the same colours on Henry’s car as I did back in 1972 and 1973." John has remained active in international motorsport and now manages his 17 year old son Henry's single seater career: "Henry has been progressing well, and in this day and age, we need to give talented kids a greater opportunity to show off their skills - F2 is an international series that does exactly that," he added. "It may not have been around for 25 years but we needed to bring back some simplicity into the racing ladder - Formula Two has a great past but now it is a new championship for today!"

Jonathan Palmer, Chief Executive of championship organiser MotorSport Vision, said: "I have been monitoring Henry's progress ever since he raced karts with my son Jolyon. I was always impressed with his technical approach and he has clearly inherited and learnt a lot from his father John. F2 is the ideal formula for Henry as he continues in his quest to reach Formula One and it is extremely exciting to add another former F1 surname to the swelling F2 grid for 2009."