Trident Racing has confirmed that Marino Sato has been retained for 2021, while Bent Viscaal joins the team for the opening round of the season.
Sato remains in F2 for a second full campaign, having joined Trident in 2020 following a handful of outings with Campos in the second half of the 2019 season.
The Japanese driver scored one point during the 2020 campaign, claiming eighth place at the Mugello Sprint Race.
“I’m really looking forward to continue our journey together with team Trident,” Sato said.
“We had a very tough season last year but we were improving race by race. I need to thank everyone who’s Involved to make this happen!”
Sato will be joined at the Italian team by F2 debutant Bent Viscaal, who graduates from Formula 3 for the first race weekend in Bahrain.
The Dutchman spent the last two years in F3, taking a dramatic Sprint Race victory at Silverstone in 2020, adding to his podium from Hungary earlier in the season.
“I cannot wait to make my debut in the FIA Formula 2 Championship with Trident Motorsport,” Viscaal said.
“I will be on-track for collective pre-season testing in just about two weeks, and I am really excited! We did great preparation work.
“I have been aware of the value of Trident Motorsport for quite some time, and it’s finally time to work together. I am sure that we will achieve great results.”
Trident team manager Giacomo Ricci said of the signings: “In the 2020 championship, Sato showed remarkable progress that makes us confident in his potential ahead of the new season, which will start at the end of March at Sakhir.
“I strongly believe that the new format of the series, featuring three races with reverse grids, will enable Marino to cruise to the points zone repeatedly and continue his growth in the FIA F2 Championship.
“We had Bent with us for one day of testing last December in Bahrain, and we had the chance to appreciate his speed skills multiple times.
We remember the win he snatched from our driver Zendeli last July at Silverstone in the FIA Formula 3 Championship.
“We are convinced we will be able to reach great results together, and we will provide him with our best support to help him to find his fit with our family as quickly as possible.”
