The inaugural FIA Formula Two grid is continuing to take shape after Henry Surtees was revealed as the latest entrant to the burgeoning series.

Henry, son of John Surtees - the only person to win world championships on both two and four wheels - is the 11th driver to be confirmed, joining British counterparts Jason Moore and Alex Brundle, as well as World Series race winners Robert Wickens and Julien Jousse.

After just three seasons of car racing, Surtees comes to Formula 2 after a season spent in the Formula Renault UK Championship in which he finished 12th overall with one podium to his name. However, his win in the National Class on his British Formula 3 debut stands Surtees in good stead for his graduation to the 400bhp machine.

"It is the right time for me to make this step up to F2," the 17-year-old said. "It is a great opportunity. It is going to be tough," he said. "But great competition is exactly what I am looking for. I am really excited about 2009 and now I just cannot wait to see the car!”

John Surtees, who has been involved in the A1 GP Great Britain team and the Chinese Maxtra motorcycle project in recent years, was delighted to see his son continuing his ascension up the motorsport ladder.

“I think it is fantastic,” he said. “I won my last race in Formula Two and we are using the same colours on Henry's car as I did back in 1972 and 1973.”

“Henry has been progressing well, and in this day and age, we need to give talented kids a greater opportunity to show off their skills - F2 is an international series that does exactly that. It may not have been around for 25 years but we needed to bring back some simplicity into the racing ladder - Formula Two has a great past but now it is a new championship for today!"