Rapax has confirmed its first driver for the 2016 GP2 season, with Arthur Pic making the move from Campos Racing to the Italian team.
After three seasons racing in Formula Renault 3.5, placing eighth in both 2012 and 2013, Pic jumped up to GP2 for 2014 with Campos. He enjoyed a strong rookie year, winning one race, scoring two further podiums and finishing seventh in the championship.
But a tougher time last year saw the Frenchman score just one podium, second in the Italy sprint race, and he slipped to 11th in the drivers’ standings.
"I’m delighted to be joining Rapax for my third campaign in GP2 series," he said. "I wanted to be part of a front-running team that can challenge for the title, and Rapax has shown over the years they have the pedigree to deliver very strong results.
"They were especially competitive and consistent last year and I look forward to building on this to enjoy even more success in 2016. With several race winners returning to the series, this year is shaping up to be another hotly contested affair but I am sure we have what it takes to achieve our goals and we’ll work hard all together to make it happen."
Managing director Andrea Bergamini added: "After completing a positive season last November at Abu Dhabi, we at Rapax worked hard to lay some solid foundations for 2016.
"The arrival of a talented racer like Arthur will enable us to start an early work program aimed at achieving some very ambitious goals in a championship which is renowned for the high level of competition.
"His trust confirms the valuable work done by Rapax in the recent seasons which culminated in a superb 2015 run among the championship’s frontrunners. We are determined to continue on the same path and aim for the top once again."
