Bruni, Gurney sign for Fortec.

Fortec Motorsport have announced their British Formula Three driver line-up for the 2001 season as Gianmaria Bruni and Alex Gurney.

Gianmaria Bruni (Gimmi), returns for a second season with Fortec and will be reunited with Renault, whom he worked with on his way to becoming both Formula Campus and European Formula Renault Champion.

During his first season in Formula Three last year Gimmi (pictured) impressed the team with his ability to learn new circuits and get to grips with an F3 car, he went on to finish an impressive fifth in the highly competitive British Championship.

Later in the year, at the Korean Super Prix, Bruni demonstrated his huge potential by snatching a podium finish and claimed the award for top rookie - as well as setting a new lap record. Fortec have high hopes for the Italian this season as a serious contender for the 2001 Championship.

"I am very happy to be rejoining Fortec," said Bruni. "I got on well last season and feel very at home with the team. I am glad to be running with Renault engines as Sodemo, Fortec and myself share the same ambition to win."

Alongside Bruni will be American Alex Gurney. Alex is the youngest son of the All American Racers Team Owner, Dan Gurney, but despite being exposed to motorsport from an early age, Alex did not get involved in the sport until his first year of college.

For the past few years Gurney has been successfully racing single-seaters in the States and is now very keen to get started with his debut F3 season in Britain. Alex clinched the drive after impressing the team with his performances during the winter F3 testing.

Gurney described what the Fortec deal means to him: "I am thrilled to be driving for the Fortec team in the 2001 British F3 Championship. Renault's record in racing speaks for itself and it is a great feeling to be part of their program. As for racing in Europe, I knew exactly where I wanted to go. Jenson Button, along with many others before him, has shown that British F3 is probably the best school for future F1 drivers. I know that, with F1 as my goal, this is the place to be. I am ready and anxious for the challenge."

Alex is not the only new addition to the team this season, with the news that Fortec will be running the new Sodemo Renault engine for the first time this season. Fortec aim to help them with development, and in time, secure their first UK Championship.

"We are obviously very excited at the prospect of working with Renault and Sodemo for 2001," remarked David Hayle, Fortec's Team Manager. "We have made a conscious decision to go with them because they have proved they have a very strong winning engine and we see it as our best chance of future success."

Hayle then expressed his delight at Fortec's driver line-up: "Gimmi Bruni is staying with the team for this season which is fantastic, he is a very special young driver who we think will be able to push for race wins and the title. Alongside Gimmi will be Alex Gurney. Alex is new to Europe and F3, but after an impressive test with him I feel he will learn the formula and the English tracks quickly and push hard for podiums."