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Status Grand Prix Joins Forces With Swedish Ace Eriksson For GP3 Series
Eriksson, who will be 22 years old in March, joins the Silverstone-based team after an extremely successful 2012 season, during which he won the German Formula 3 Cup, taking eight victories and six pole positions on his way to the title with the Lotus team.
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After winning karting championships in Sweden, Eriksson graduated to Formula Renault in 2009 and then into F3 in 2010. During his F3 career he has also twice competed in the Macau Grand Prix.
“Jimmy is perfectly poised to make the step to the GP3 Series, and the whole team will benefit from his experience and speed,” said Yip. “He did a great job in winning the title in German F3 last season, and I have watched him racing in Macau for the last two years where he’s impressed me.
“Jimmy’s definitely ready to win races together with Status GP, and we can have a real impact on the GP3 title fight.”
Eriksson added: “I’m very excited about this new challenge, and about the prospect of racing in a championship which is part of the Formula 1 experience.
“I had a strong season in Formula 3 last year, and I’m really looking forward to building on that momentum with Status GP in 2013. They have a good reputation and have demonstrated that they are serious about our collaboration. With a new car coming in this year, this is definitely the right time for me to enter the GP3 arena.
“Engine output for GP3 this year will increase from 280 to 400bhp, and the move away from turbos will necessitate a brand-new driving style – and that can only be a positive for any rookie. Still, I obviously have a lot to learn, and the competition will be absolutely fierce; but who said it should be easy? I’m extremely motivated to get going!”
Eriksson is the first driver to be announced for Status GP’s three-car GP3 Series line-up in 2013. He will get his initial taste of the new-for-2013, second-generation GP3 car in the first of the three official pre-season tests at Estoril in Portugal on February 20-22.
The GP3 racing season, which comprises eight double-header events, seven of which support the Formula 1 World Championship, kicks off with the Spanish Grand Prix weekend at the Circuit de Catalunya on May 10-12.
PaddockTalk Perspective
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