After running Germany's Julian Theobald for the opening two rounds of the 2008 World Series by Renault, Fortec Motorsport has finally completed its season-long line-up by signing Fairuz Fauzy to partner
Crash.net columnist James Walker.
Fauzy will restart his relationship with the World Series at Monaco this coming weekend, having agreed terms to rejoin Fortec, a team he knows well from his days in the junior ranks. The Malaysia spent the winter running in the new GP2 Asia Series, looking a more rounded prospect as he took both his first win and several podium finishes, but returns to the World Series after showing flashes of promise with P1 by Cram in 2007.
"It is good to be back in the championship with the team that I drove for during my F3 days," Fauzy said, "It feels like home as Richard [Dutton] is no stranger to me and he is familiar with my driving technique. I did some testing with them at the end of last year, and believe we stand a good chance of challenging the frontrunners. I look forward to a wonderful start in Monaco."
Fauzy enjoyed a successful test with the Fortec team at Valencia's Circuit Ricardo Tormo at the end of last season and, although a deal could not be reached for the start of the 2008 campaign, left team principal Dutton with a desire to renew his acquaintance with the Malaysian.
"It's a great boost for the team to have Fairuz with us for the 2008 season," Dutton said, "He showed last year that he has a great talent and a wealth of experience and we hope to capitalise on this from the start. We were keen to see Fairuz in our car following his test last year and I believe he can be incredibly competitive with us."
