Ferrari Driver Academy driver Lance Stroll will compete for a second season in the FIA European Formula 3 Championship after being retained by multiple championship winning team Prema Powerteam.
The seventeen-year-old Canadian secured his maiden series victory in race one of the season finale at Hockenheim, and will be looking to build on the progress he made during the second half of 2015, having had his on-track issues in the early stages of the season.
Of his most notable issues were his collision with Antonio Giovinazzi at Monza, for which he was blamed, and then he was banned from the final race at Spa-Francorchamps for another crash that eliminated team-mate Felix Rosenqvist and Mücke Motorsport’s Mikkel Jensen as the trio fought for the lead.
But Stroll’s form picked up around the races at Zandvoort, and was always a threat to the podium thereafter, securing five additional podium finishes on top of his race win.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be racing with Prema Powerteam for a third consecutive year,” said Stroll, who also raced for the team in Italian Formula 4 in 2014.
“I’m certain that Prema will give me the equipment and support for me to launch an attack on the 2016 FIA F3 European title which is my goal for next season.
“I joined Prema in my first season of car racing last year and they guided me to the Italian F4 title. This year they’ve done an awesome job for me in my maiden F3 season.
“I honestly could not be any happier than continuing to work with René [Rosin, Team Manager] and his team again next year and I know we will be ultra-competitive.”
Prema Powerteam Team Manager Rene Rosin believes Lance Stroll has all the ingredients necessary to make a challenge for the 2016 FIA European Formula 3 Championship after the team announced the Canadian teenager would stay with the team next season.
Rosin saw Stroll take his maiden victory at Hockenheim and multiple other podium finishes during the second half of the season to take fifth place in the standings, and feels the Ferrari Driver Academy driver will be a contender for the title in 2016.
“It is an honour to have Lance with us again for the 2016 FIA F.3 European Championship,” revealed Rosin. “He did a superb job this season, cruising to multiple podium finishes and a phenomenal overall win en-route to a stunning 5th place in standings.
“Making his debut in such a demanding series, he was the class of the rookie field and also fought with much more experienced rivals, proving he is ready for the next step.
“I am sure he has all what it takes to deliver more brilliant results and fight for the overall crown.”
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