Arden International will withdraw from FIA Formula 2 at the end of 2019, with its place taken in the championship by Mercedes-affiliated HWA Racelab.
Arden has competed in Formula 1’s feeder series’ since 1997, when it existed as International F3000, before its transition into the GP2 Series and latterly Formula 2.
Arden has taken four wins in Formula 2, most recently with the late Anthoine Hubert in Monaco and France this year, but will now bow out of the competition following next month’s Abu Dhabi finale.
“Arden has successfully competed in the premier F1 feeder series for over 20 years and we have now decided to step back from the category in order to explore other avenues,” said Garry Horner, Arden CEO and Team Principal.
“We have enjoyed our time in the GP2 and F2 Championships and, at some point in the future, may consider returning to the grid.”
Arden’s place on the 10-team grid will be taken by HWA Racelab, which formed an engineering and technological partnership with the British-based operation for 2019.
HWA Racelab has expanded into single-seater competition in recent years, entering Formula E on behalf of Mercedes, and for 2019 was accepted onto the rebranded Formula 3 package.
“We are looking forward to this challenge in another formula series for young drivers,” said HWA Racelab CEO Ulrich Fritz.
“Alongside our involvement in the Formula 3 Championship, we are now also represented on the next level of the FIA Formula Pyramid, ensuring a continuous development of talented motorsport youngsters.
“It is also further evidence of the 360° motorsport expertise of HWA. From the promotion of young drivers and Formula E to the DTM and GT racing, we now cover an incredibly broad spectrum.”
