Ocean Racing Technology and Nigel Melker to join forces in 2012

Ocean Racing Technology and Nigel Melker have reached an agreement to take part in the 2012 GP2 Series. The Dutch driver, who successfully participated in the F3 Euro Series and GP3 in 2011, with 4th and 3rd place finishes respectively in the overall rankings, has already gotten behind the wheel with the Portuguese team during the Barcelona interseason test sessions. Nigel had impressed the management and technical teams, as well as the whole paddock, by recording remarkable performances, especially the 3rd and 5th best times on his first day working with Ocean Racing Technology.

Nigel Melker started his career on four wheels in karting, at the age of 11. Since then, he has made remarkable progress. For Tiago Monteiro and José Guedes, whose ambition is to be regular contenders for the podium in 2012, signing Nigel Melker is an important first step. "Nigel had two remarkable seasons both in the GP3 and F3 Euro Series. During the tests we conducted together in Barcelona, last October, he proved to be very professional and an extremely competitive young driver at the wheel of one of our cars. The relationship with the technical team has been fruitful and we believe that together we will be able to achieve the goals we set for ourselves," declared Ocean Racing Technology's managers.

"In Barcelona, despite being a rookie, he adapted very quickly to the team as well as to the car. Ocean Racing Technology is proud to have signed a contract with a driver who was courted by several of the best teams in the championship," concluded Tiago Monteiro and José Guedes.

The Dutch driver is happy to join the GP2 Series with Ocean Racing Technology, declaring,"I am glad to be a part of Ocean Racing Technology. The team has demonstrated and proven its desire to achieve big things in the short term and I think I am in a position to make my contribution to the success of this plan. I would like to thank Tiago Monteiro and José Guedes for believing in my potential. I will do my best to live up to their confidence."

Ocean Racing Technology will soon announce the name of the driver who will be teamed with Nigel Melker to defend its colors in 2012. The team thinks it has the potential to be competitive from the very start of the year and is meticulously preparing for the year's first tests, which will take place in Jerez de la Frontera, from February 28 to March 1.