Armstrong lands first Prema FIA F3 seat for 2019

Ferrari Academy driver Marcus Armstrong will compete for the Prema Powerteam in the new FIA Formula 3 series in 2019.

Armstrong is the first driver to be named in Prema’s 2019 line-up after he finished fifth in the 2018 Formula 3 European Championship, scoring one race win for the Italian squad that took Mick Schumacher to the title.

He is the second driver after Honda-backed Japanese F4 champion Yuki Tsunoda, who will drive for Jenzer, to be confirmed as switching across to the new championship which replaces GP3 on the Formula 1 support bill.

In total 10 teams and 30 drivers will contest the 2019 FIA F3 series, which features a brand new Halo-shod car.

18-year-old Armstrong won the 2017 Italian F4 title with Prema before helping the team claim the teams’ championship in European F3 this year.

"I’m super excited to be back with Prema,” Armstrong said. “we’ve shared a lot of success in recent years, winning the 2017 Italian Formula 4 Championship and fighting for the German series title.

“We had a great 2018 too but I feel there is unfinished business and I’m very excited to get going.

“Competition will be incredibly tight and everybody is looking forward to the new adventure.

“The new FIA F3 is new for everyone, including us, but I feel confident that we can hit the ground running in 2019.

“The car is obviously quite different to the Formula 3 we raced this year, not only the car itself but the engine and tyres.”

Prema team principal Rene Rosin added: “It is great to line-up with Marcus for another season.

“He has huge talent and has been a championship contender in every single series he took part in so far.

“We know we can aim at some outstanding results together and we want to carry our winning legacy into the new era of Formula 3.

“I want to thank Marcus and the Ferrari Driver Academy for their renewed trust.

“Our partnership achieved amazing results, but we won’t back down and we are hungry for more.”