Bird lands a drive with GP2 champions (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Bird lands a drive with GP2 champions

5:01pm Wednesday 2nd December 2009 in

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Sam Bird has been snapped up by GP2 champions ART Grand Prix for the 2010 season.

The Claygate driver will partner Jules Bianchi with the French team having produced some impressive performances during his maiden GP2 event in Abu Dhabi.

As well as a front row grid slot in qualifying and a fastest lap there, he also scored a podium for ART at last week’s Macau Grand Prix.

It means Bird will participate in the entire GP2 Asia and GP2 Main Series championships.

“I am obviously very pleased to be joining ART Grand Prix,” said Bird.

“Their success speaks for itself and having spent quite a bit of time with the team over the past couple of months, I can say that they are a brilliant group of people.”

“Driving for ART is a dream for any single-seater driver.”

ART Grand Prix chief executive Frederic Vasseur said he had been following Bird’s progress for several years.

“Circumstances have not always enabled him to express what I believe is a great talent,” said Vasseur.

“When we gave him the chance to prove himself in Abu Dhabi, he took the opportunity and impressed us.

“He was consistently quick at the Paul Ricard test.”

“Jules and Sam are both rookies, but the top drivers have the ability to make a big impact immediately, as we have seen in the past.”