MP Motorsport have confirmed the signing of Formula 3 frontrunner Clément Novalak for the final two rounds of the Formula 2 season and all of 2022.

The 20-year-old steps up from the third tier on the back of a campaign that saw him score four podiums and finish third in the Drivers’ Championship with Teams’ Champions Trident.

Replacing Lirim Zendeli for the final two rounds in Jeddah and Yas Marina, Novalak will get an early opportunity to run F2 machinery before taking on a full campaign in 2022 with the Dutch outfit.

“I’m delighted to get my first taste of F2 as soon as at Jeddah and Yas Marina,” said Novalak. “This will only help me towards my ambitions for a first full season in F2 in 2022. I’m truly thankful to MP Motorsport for handing me this opportunity, and I fully intend to make the most of it.

“MP has been a race-winning outfit in F2 for the past two years, so I hope that teaming up with them will allow me to return to my winning ways. I can’t wait to get started!”

Novalak scored four podiums with Trident in the 2021 F3 season
Novalak scored four podiums with Trident in the 2021 F3 season

The 2019 BRDC British Formula 3 Champion spent two seasons in Formula 3, firstly with Carlin Buzz where he scored two podiums, and then with Trident, where he challenged for the title. The Frenchman also has experience in Formula Renault Eurocup and in the Toyota Racing Series.

MP Motorsport team manager Sander Dorsman added: ““We are very happy to welcome Clément in our F2 line-up for 2022, and are especially excited to give him his first runs in a Formula 2 car in the six 2021 races still coming up.

“He pulled together a very strong season in F3, and especially his late run of form that took him up from sixth to third in the standings was extremely impressive. We are aiming to capitalise on that momentum by putting him in one of our F2 cars in the two remaining rounds on the Arabian peninsula. For next year, I’m sure he will be among the outstanding rookies of the year.”