Giacomo Ricci takes over as Trident team manager

Giacomo Ricci has been appointed team manager of Trident Motorsport, the Milano-based squad has announced.

The former racing driver succeeds Luca Zerbini with immediate effect, meaning that Ricci will oversee this week's GP2 pre-season testing at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.

"I am convinced that the team has great potential and that we can reach the predetermined objectives," said Ricci, who has race experience in Formula 300 and Formula BMW as well as the Auto GP World Series and GP2. "On my part, I will contribute with the maximum commitment and determination."

The 28-year-old Italian made 44 starts in the GP2 and GP2 Asia Series between 2008 and 2010, with race wins at Hungary and Bahrain as well as additional podiums at Catalunya and Abu Dhabi as well as Bahrain.

The departing Luca Zerbini said that he intended to spend more time building up his management business.

"I leave the team with sorrow," he admitted. "Trident for me was like a second family and I thank [team owner and manager] Maurizio Salvadori for the trust he has given me and all the people, mechanics, engineers and drivers, with whom I worked with inside the team.

"They have been very intense years where we were able to carry out together great satisfactions," he added. "I wish Maurizio and the Trident team to obtain the successes that they fully deserve."

As well as the GP2 operation, Ricci will also be the team manager for the squad's GP3 activities.

Currently trident has secured the services of Johnny Cecotto Jr for the 2014 GP2 Series season but has yet to make a decision on the second driver. 19-year-old Zimbabwean ace Axcil Jefferies will take the race seat of the #22 for this week's three-day test session.

In GP3, two of the team's three race seats have gone to Brazil's Victor Carbone and South Africa's Roman de Beer, with a decision on who gets the #25 still to be made.