Ferrari protege Alesi stays with Trident in GP3

Ferrari Formula 1 Academy member Giuliano Alesi will contest a third successive season driving for Trident in the 2018 GP3 Series. 

Alesi, the son of 1995 Canadian Grand Prix winner Jean Alesi, claimed three victories on his way to fifth place in the standings during his sophomore GP3 campaign last year. 

"I am extremely happy to remain on board with Trident for the 2018 GP3 Series," Alesi said. "I worked so hard with the team and the Ferrari Driver Academy in the last few seasons. 

“My goal is now to reward them with some absolutely excellent results. I feel ready for a high-profile season.”

The 18-year-old, who joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2016, was the highest place non-ART Grand Prix driver last year, finishing 121 points behind champion and Mercedes F1 junior George Russell, who will graduate to F2 in 2018. 

"We are absolutely delighted to announce the extended collaboration with Giuliano Alesi," Trident team owner Maurizio Salvadori added. “He has exquisite manners and he is an extremely professional driver with a brilliant future ahead. 

“Our priority will be to support him with the utmost commitment and enable him to aim for the most ambitious goals.”

Alesi is the first of Trident’s four-driver line-up to be announced for the 2018 season.