Austro-Italian Mirko Bortolotti returns to Formula Two for the
2011 season, after spending a year contesting the GP3 series. The
21-year-old is one of the world's best young drivers, and has
tested for both the Scuderia Ferrari and Toro Rosso F1 squads.
Bortolotti's single seater career dates back to 2005 when he
made his debut in Formula Gloria Italy, Formula Junior 1600 Italy
and the Formula Renault 2.0 Italy Winter Series. He stayed in the
latter two championships in 2006, taking his first podium in
Renault, while also enjoying outstanding success in Formula Azzurra
- finishing second in the championship with one win, five podiums
and five pole positions to his credit.
Mirko stepped up to Formula 3 Italia in 2007, and again met with
success as he scored one win and seven podiums to finish fourth
overall. He remained in the series in 2008 and was rampant,
collecting nine wins and 15 podiums from 16 races to win the
championship and earn a test with Scuderia Ferrari - where he
unofficially broke Kimi Raikkonen's lap record at Fiorano.
Mirko graduated into F2 for the 2009 season and enjoyed
great success, scoring a maiden victory at Brno and collecting four
podiums to remain in contention for second in the championship
until the final race of the season. He was rewarded with a call up
to test for the Toro Rosso F1 squad during official F1 rookie
testing at the end of the year.
Ferrari then signed Mirko to their Driver Academy and placed him
in GP3 for 2010, where he again met with success as he took five
top eight finishes and one podium at Monza. He also finished as
Addax's outstanding driver, collecting almost double the points of
his nearest team-mate.