Former
Red Bull Racing test driver Michael Ammermüller has taken another step back in an effort to kick-start his failing pursuit of a
Formula One seat, having agreed to join Swiss team Iris Project for this year's Formula Master series.
Still only 22, the German has driven in both GP2 and the World Series by Renault in the past two years, and currently shares the national A1GP seat with rising star Christian Vietoris, but has slipped off the F1 radar after a wrist injury sustained at the start of 2007 forced him out of the cockpit and, eventually out of GP2.
The 2005 Formula Renault Eurocup runner-up appeared to be on the fast-track to
F1, vaulting straight into GP2 in 2006 and winning a race on his debut weekend in Valencia, but the injury saw him lose his seat at ART Grand Prix and, although he later resurfaced in the WSbR, he never proved a regular threat for wins.
Although FMaster is only poised to start its second season, Ammermuller believes that the series has sufficient potential to throw in his lot with Iris Project.
“I heard a lot about Formula Master throughout 2007 and got great feedback on the series,” he said, “This year should be even better with the new version of the car, so it's going to be very interesting.”
Ammermuller will be joined on the FMaster grid by another WSbR refugee, after it was confirmed that Carlos Iaconelli had signed with Pro Motorsport. The 20-year old Brazilian raced in the World Series for the last two years, but will make his FMaster debut at the first official test at Monza later this week.
“This is a great opportunity and I'm determined to obtain good results this year,” Iaconelli commented, “I have been in Europe for two years now and I realise that the competition is extreme. You have to win and I believe Pro Motorsport have the technical experience and professionalism to aim for that.”
![Michael Ammermuller - ART Grand Prix [pic credit: GP2 media]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/344815.jpg)
