ATECH Grand Prix confirms Buurman for Superleague Formula bid

Atech Grand Prix has confirmed that rapid Dutchman Yelmer Buurman will contest the 2010 Superleague Formula by Sonangol series under the AC Milan banner. The Silverstone-based team won the title last year with Liverpool FC and Adrian Vallés, and is the first team to confirm a driver in the series.

Team Principal David Hayle is excited about the prospect of working with 23 year-old Buurman who finished second in the inaugural season of Superleague Formula and took fourth place last year.

“I’m very pleased to have finally penned a deal with Yelmer who I’ve known from his Formula Renault days,” said Hayle. “Over the years I’ve watched him grow up and over the last two seasons he has proven to be a particularly strong contender in Superleague Formula, finishing second and fourth. This season we’ll be looking to go one stage further with him and I expect him to be in the fight for the championship.”

In 2009, Buurman drove in the GP2 Asia series as well as in Superleague Formula, where he finished fourth in the final standings driving for RSC Anderlecht.  He won two races in the final round of the series at Jarama. The previous year he finished second overall in the championship, alongside running a GP2 campaign where he earned two podium finishes.

Prior to that, Buurman enjoyed success in Formula 3, World Series by Renault, and Formula Renault 2.0.

Buurman himself is also relishing the prospect of a return to racing action when the series kicks off next month. “I am happy to be back in Superleague Formula with last year’s championship-winning team and I look forward to scoring for a top club,” said Buurman.

“AC Milan is one of the best clubs in the world and I am proud to defend their honours. After being second and fourth in the championship over the last two years I will now go for the top. I only have one aim and that is winning the championship for and with AC Milan. I am ready for it and I’d like to thank everyone at Atech GP for their confidence in my capabilities.”

The 2010 Superleague Formula by Sonangol gets underway with the opening round of the 12 race series at the team’s home circuit of Silverstone over Easter weekend 3/4 April.

 
Re-branded for the 2010 season, Atech Grand Prix hopes to build on the success already achieved by Team Principal David Hayle. In a career spanning almost 25 years, David has worked with several top motorsport teams and drivers including Prodrive, Ralliart, Heikki Kovalainen Robert Kubica, Lucas di Grassi, Nelson Piquet Jnr. and Marko Asmer. More recently David set up his own Formula Renault and Superleague Formula teams, scoring numerous race victories and securing the title last year with Adrian Valles and Liverpool FC. Atech CRS GP will also contest the FIA GP3 Championship this season following a partnership with CRS Racing.

 

- MPR Associates-