Photo: Daniel Kalisz/GP2 Media Service
A new Russian-backed entry has joined the GP2 Series field on the eve of the 2013 season, taking the place of iSport International.
Paul Jackson had been looking to sell his iSport squad?s entry in the series after failing to find any drivers with the necessary budget.
Named ?Russian Time?, the outfit is run by team principal Igor Mazepa and general manager Timo Rumpfkeil of the successful Motopark Academy Formula 3 team. The new team is based at Motopark?s facilities at the Oschersleben circuit in Germany and will join the series for the second pre-season test at Barcelona that commences tomorrow (Tuesday).
?We?re very happy to be joining the GP2 Series,? said Mazepa. ?It is one of the most prestigious categories in motorsport and we cannot wait to start running with the car this week in Barcelona.
?We know that it will be a challenge to be quickly on par with the other teams, but we have managed to put together a group of people whose experience in GP2 will be invaluable and we are pretty confident that we will do a good job from the get-go. We?re looking forward to this first season and hope to add many more to it.?
GP2 Series CEO Bruno Michel added: ?I am pleased to welcome Russian Time to the GP2 Series. I am certain that they will be a great addition to our field. Igor Mazepa has already put in place a team of staff with some great GP2 experience which will help them be able to be on pace very quickly.
?I would like to take this opportunity to thank iSport International and Paul Jackson for eight great seasons in GP2 and wish them all the best for the future.?
Russian Time are the third new team to join the category for this season, after MP Motorsport replaced Coloni and Hilmer Motorsport took the place of Ocean Racing Technology.