Henry Surtees is hoping he can live up to the great traditions of the family name in this year's Formula Two championship.

Surtees is one of 24 up-and-coming drivers that will compete in F2, a series that returns to the motor sport calendar this season after a 25-year absence. Henry's famous father John, who still holds the distinction of being the only world champion on two and four wheels, ended his racing career in F2 with wins in Japan and Italy in 1972.

In the early 1970s, John was also designing and building his own cars for both F1 and F2, achieving notable success in the latter in 1973 when Mike Hailwood was crowned champion. As a throwback to those days, the livery of Henry's car this year will carry the colours used in 1972 and '73.

"Dad was looking into what we could do in '09, but overall he was looking to do this," remarked Henry on the impending F2 season.

"The Surtees name has a big name in F2. We've an old F2 car at home which has been restored, and it played a big part in his life.

"Hopefully this will be the start of another chapter in the family history."

As part of the FIA's aims to cut costs, the world governing body last year opted to reintroduce the formula that will serve as a feeder to F1.

Each car, with chassis designed and built by Williams and engines from Audi, will run on a remarkable annual budget of just £195,000.