FJR announce their driver line-up for 2017

FJR have announced their driver-up for the upcoming 2017 season in the form of Kevin Magnussen and their young driver Catharina Caracciola, frontrunner for FJR’s sister team in FF2M, STV Racing.

Magnussen’s retention comes off the back of his strongest season so far with the Yorkshire team having taken three pole positions, six podium finishes, and two wins including a brilliant maiden triumph at Mugello from 15th on the grid. He currently lies 4th in the drivers championship, 17 points behind championship leader Lewis Hamilton. Speaking of the Dane, team boss James Brickles says that “he has been one of the best drivers of the season and is championship material, so it was important for me to try and retain him for 2017.” This will be Magnussen’s 4th consecutive season with FJR.

Caracciola meanwhile will be promoted from FJR’s young driver programme and get her big chance in the top category next season alongside Magnussen despite a difficult time in Hungary where she was shunted off the circuit twice by Charlotte Plectrum and Pascal Wehrlein. Even so, Brickles believes she has the potential to make it. “Cat is a quick and consistent driver who shown good speed in practice this season alongside the other race drivers. She’s also one of a few FF2M drivers to win on their debut race. When that happened, I knew she would be racing in FF1M very soon, some say maybe too soon, but I’ll make sure she has the best possible preparation for 2017.”

The news means that Nico Hulkenberg will need to find another seat, which Brickles admits is a “big shame that I have to let him go so soon because he too has had some great performances this season, but the reality is that I just couldn’t afford to keep both race drivers. He should be able to find a good drive however as his recent form in the last two races should make him rather marketable.”