Photo: FIA Formula 3 European Championship
Jake Hughes will switch full-time from GP3 to the FIA Formula 3 European Championship next year with Hitech GP.
Hughes won twice in GP3 this year on his way to eighth in the standings with DAMS, and also made his F3 debut at the Hockenheim finale in October with Carlin, scoring a podium finish.
He then contested the Macau Grand Prix, where he finished as the top rookie in sixth place.
He has since been testing with Hitech, where he completes a three-car line-up alongside former Prema driver?Ralf Aron and the continuing Nikita Mazepin.
?I?ve loved every minute in the car during testing and get on so well with all of the guys in the team, we all work really well together,” he said.
“I have always rated F3 highly ? clearly, you get a lot of track time and also the opportunity to put yourself in front of a lot of influential people.
?For me, even though it?ll be my first full season in FIA F3, and you never stop learning, I have a good feel for the car and how competitive we could be.
“I will be up against several very strong second year drivers and championship-winning teams, but will do my utmost to be a contender.”
Team boss Oliver Oakes said: “We are extremely pleased to have signed Jake for next season.
“He?s a driver who has impressed us, not just in his one-off appearances in F3 but also the job he has done in GP3 this year.
“Jake has fitted in really well with the team over the winter tests we?ve completed and I am looking forward to us challenging for honours in 2017.
“He?s clearly a very capable, adaptable and quick young driver and will be one to watch for sure next season in FIA F3.”