Another F2 season for Armaan in 2011

New Delhi, Feb 18 (PTI) Confident after an impressiveshowing in the season gone by, young Indian racer ArmaanEbrahim today decided to continue his stint with the FIAFormula Two Championship in the 2011 season.

Armaan was keen to race in GP2 series this year but budgetconstraints poured cold water on his plans, leaving F2 as thebest option.

The Chennai racer had earned his maiden podium finish atValencia in the season-ending final rounds in 2010 and afterconsultations with his sponsors, decided to return to F2.

The 21-year-old Armaan had finished 10th in the overallchampionship in 2010 but the oraganisers see him as achampionship contender this time around.

"I am really happy to be returning to F2 in 2011. Thereare some legendary circuits on the calendar this year and myconfidence is high following last year, so I can''t wait forthe season to begin.

"With Formula One coming to India this year, interest isat an all-time high and if I can do a good job, it willhopefully help me in the future," Armaan said in a pressrelease.

Jonathan Palmer, Formula Two Chief Executive, said, "I''mdelighted Armaan will be returning for a third season of F2.

He has shown great race craft throughout his time in thechampionship...F2 is certainly the ideal place for Armaan ashe pursues a place on the GP2 grid in 2012, and I expect himto be a definite championship contender this year."

The F2 Championship winner will be eligible for a testdrive with Williams Formula One team and Armaan has thattarget in his sights.

Armaan ended 2010 on a high, qualifying inside the topthree for both races in the final round in Valencia, Spain,and went on to secure his maiden F2 podium.

He scored strongly on several other occasions during theyear, taking a brace of sixth-place finish on the streets ofMarrakech and top five finish at Monza, the home of theItalian Grand Prix, and Zolder.

"I have improved every year in F2, and I want to keepthat going. Victories and the championship are definitely thetargets.

"After detailed evaluations with my internal team and mycore sponsors, JK Tyre, CSEPL and Amaron supported by Trimexand Meco Motorsports, we decided that one more year in F2 isthe best option amongst any other series to do well, win thechampionship if possible and then get organized for the GP2Series in 2012 as well as an opening for a Test drive with aFormula 1 Team.

"F2 surely prepares you well for GP2 as well as F1 and itis a great and very competitive series to take part in," hesaid.