ROAD TO F1: Ferrari junior Alesi replaces Matsushita at MP Motorsport in F2

Ferrari Academy Driver Giuliano Alesi is attempting to force a change of fortunes in Formula 2, swapping from the BWT HWA RACELAB team to race winners MP Motorsport.

Making the move ahead of Round 10 in Russia, Alesi will replace long-time F2 racer Nobuharu Matsushita at the Dutch outfit, after the Japanese driver “decided to move on to fresh challenges elsewhere.”

READ MORE: The lowdown on the tantalising battle between three Ferrari juniors, all vying for the F2 title

Son of former Ferrari Formula 1 racer Jean Alesi, 21-year-old Giuliano is in his second season of F2, and initially showed signs that he could be set for a breakthrough year. Alesi finished 2019 with five points finishes from his final six races and followed this up with sixth in the 2020 season opener in Austria.

Neither he nor HWA has been able to recreate this form, though, and the 21-year-old has failed to take a point since then.

“I am super happy, excited and most of all motivated to be working with MP and starting this new adventure in Formula 2,” said Alesi. “So I’m really looking forward to Sochi, and can’t wait to get in the car and get started.”

With three rounds of the F2 season to go, MP Motorsport will provide Alesi with proven race-winning machinery, having taken three victories already this year.

The Frenchman will join Felipe Drugovich, who has clinched two of those MP wins. Formula 3 race winner Jake Hughes will replace Alesi at HWA for Round 10.

For more on F2, visit the official series website.