Kari to make Formula 2 debut in Sochi

Niko Kari will make his Formula 2 debut in Sochi this weekend with MP Motorsport, stepping up from the GP3 Series.

Kari, 18, has raced in GP3 full-time for the past two seasons, taking a single victory in the feature race in Abu Dhabi last year, but has picked up just six points through 2018 so far as part of MP Motorsport's line-up.

The Finnish driver will move up from the series into F2 for the final two rounds of the season in Sochi and Abu Dhabi, joining Dorian Boccolacci at MP Motorsport in place of Ralph Boschung.

"I’m really happy that MP has had the confidence to promote me to their Formula 2 team”, said Kari, a former member of Red Bull's junior programme.

“The new F2 cars have looked fantastic this season, and I can’t wait to step into one of them myself. I’m also looking forward to working with Dorian again, with whom I had a great working relationship during our time as GP3 teammates.”

Sander Dorsman, team manager at MP Motorsport, added: "Niko has been a bit unlucky in his second GP3 season with us, but he has always shown his raw pace. We are confident that he will quickly convert that pace into results in the final few Formula 2 races of the season.

"With two young hotshoes in our F2 cars, we are aiming to surprise a fair few people in the category in the two remaining weekends at Sochi and Abu Dhabi."