BWT HWA RACELAB makes its debut at the Formula 2 tests in Abu Dhabi

The three-day post-season tests in the FIA Formula 2 Championship at the Yas Marina Circuit marked another milestone for HWA AG: BWT HWA RACELAB completed its first official tests as an independent team in Formula 2 in Abu Dhabi. Together with the involvement in Formula 3, HWA AG is now represented with its own team in both of the top junior series in motorsport. Seven top-ten times for drivers Giuliano Alesi (France) and Artem Markelov (Russia) in the individual sessions made it a promising start for the team.

• BWT HWA RACELAB duo claims seven top-ten results across the six sessions
• Giuliano Alesi: "We have found a lot of answers to outstanding issues."
• Artem Markelov: "I am confident that we will be totally competitive."
• Thomas Strick: "That is a really impressive result."

Abu Dhabi, 7th December 2019 – The conditions for BWT HWA RACELAB's debut in Formula 2 could hardly have been better: Only towards the end of the test on Saturday afternoon did the rain set in. Up to that point, Abu Dhabi had been bathed in sunshine. The team from Affalterbach lined up with the two drivers it has already confirmed for the 2020 season: Giuliano Alesi (France), son of former Formula 1 driver Jean Alesi, and Artem Markelov (Russia), Formula 2 runner-up in 2017.

Both already have Formula 2 experience, and brought this to play over the course of the three days. The duo held the two fastest times for much of Saturday's final session, as the two BWT HWA RACELAB cars led the way. In the end, Artem and Giuliano finished fourth and fifth.  

Artem was among the top ten on three occasions on the first two days, while Giuliano claimed two top-ten results. Artem and Giuliano completed 330 laps in total, of which many were part of long runs. This allowed them to supply the team with important data, which can now be analysed looking ahead to the start of the season. The opening round of the FIA Formula 2 Championship takes place from 20th to 22nd March 2020 in Sakhir/Bahrain.

Giuliano Alesi (20, France, car number 18)
"I am very happy with the tests. We have found a lot of answers to outstanding issues and collected a lot of data, which can now be analysed during the winter. I have settled into the new team very nicely. It is fun to work with BWT HWA RACELAB. I am now looking forward to relaxing a little, and then to the new season, of course."

Artem Markelov (25, Russia, car number 22)
"The tests went really well and we ended them with good results. We tried out a lot with the car - things that would not be possible during a race weekend, particularly with regard to the set-up. However, we were also able to do some start practice and qualifying runs. The team has supplied us with a lot of information. The tests give me confidence that we will be totally competitive in the coming season."

Thomas Strick, Team Principal HWA RACELAB
"We are very happy with the tests. Seven top-ten finishes. That is a really impressive result to start with. Artem and Giuliano confirmed their potential. Regardless of the results, the priority during these three days here in Abu Dhabi was for the teams and drivers to familiarise themselves with the processes for the coming season. That went well. We improved from day to day. We collected a lot of data, which we must now analyse, in order to be as well prepared as possible for the start of the season in March." 

• BWT HWA RACELAB - Giuliano Alesi BWT HWA RACELAB - Giuliano Alesi
• BWT HWA RACELAB - Artem Markelov BWT HWA RACELAB - Artem Markelov
• BWT HWA RACELAB - Giuliano Alesi BWT HWA RACELAB - Giuliano Alesi
• BWT HWA RACELAB - Artem Markelov BWT HWA RACELAB - Artem Markelov
• BWT HWA RACELAB - Giuliano Alesi BWT HWA RACELAB - Giuliano Alesi
• Artem Markelov (left) and Giuliano Alesi Artem Markelov (left) and Giuliano Alesi
•  

Results of the tests at the Yas Marina Circuit:

Day 1, Morning:
1.   Mick Schumacher        PREMA Racing                1:50.947
8.   Artem Markelov           BWT HWA RACELAB        1:51.626
18. Giuliano Alesi                BWT HWA RACELAB        1:52.721                                          

Day 1, Afternoon:
1.   Louis Delétraz              Charouz Racing System  1:50.543
5.   Artem Markelov           BWT HWA RACELAB         1:51.523
10. Giuliano Alesi                BWT HWA RACELAB        1:52.091

Day 2, Morning:
1.  Marcus Armstrong        ART Grand Prix                 1:50.436
14. Artem Markelov            BWT HWA RACELAB          1:51.193
15. Giuliano Alesi                BWT HWA RACELAB          1:51.302

Day 2, Afternoon:
1. Louis Delétraz                  Charouz Racing System   1:50.124
8. Artem Markelov               BWT HWA RACELAB          1:51.536
9. Giuliano Alesi                   BWT HWA RACELAB          1:51.679

Day 3, Morning:
1.   Nikita Mazepin                Carlin                               1:50.473
16. Artem Markelov              BWT HWA RACELAB          1:51.780
18. Giuliano Alesi                  BWT HWA RACELAB          1:51.972

Day 3, Afternoon:
1.  Mick Schumacher            PREMA Racing                  1:51.569
4.  Artem Markelov               BWT HWA RACELAB          1:52.060
5.  Giuliano Alesi                   BWT HWA RACELAB          1:52.199

About HWA AG
HWA AG is an independent, 360° engineering specialist in the fields of automobile racing and high-performance cars. Formed in 1998 by Hans Werner Aufrecht, the company is based in Affalterbach (Germany) and employs roughly 300 highly-qualified members of staff. HWA AG offers all its products and services under the motto ENGINEERING SPEED: The company’s objective is to develop the best possible, high-quality solutions, in order to get its partners and customers to their destination quicker. The portfolio of services ranges from designing all vehicle components to assembling complete cars, together with the relevant logistics, after-sales and support services.

About HWA RACELAB
HWA RACELAB is HWA AG’s operations team in motorsport. It brings together experienced specialists in high-quality race engineering and the associated services, in pursuit of success on the motorsport scene. HWA RACELAB entered Formula E as a new team in the 2018/19 season, adding a future-oriented string to HWA’s wealth of racetrack expertise. HWA RACELAB has also been competing in the FIA Formula 3 Championship since 2019 and will be appearing in the FIA Formula 2 Championship from 2020. With eleven Drivers’ titles and over 180 race wins as a works team for Mercedes-AMG in the DTM, the company is one of the most successful players in international motorsport. HWA RACELAB also draws on the company’s other core areas of expertise, such as the development, assembly and running of GT cars for customer racing, as well as the assembly of Formula 3 race engines.

Annette Hörsch
Presse

tel:            +49 (0) 7144 8717 – 215
email:       a.hoersch@hwaag.com

Volker Glaser
Investor Relations / Presse

tel:            +49 (0) 7111 8717 - 279
fax:           +49 (0) 7144 8718 - 111
email:       ir@hwaag.com