Photo: Zak Mauger/GP3 Series Media Service
Racing Steps Foundation driver Jake Dennis will compete for Arden in GP3 next year and also enter the world of sportscars.
Dennis makes the switch to GP3 after two years in European Formula 3, having finished third in the 2015 season.
He recently tested the outgoing GP3 car with Arden in Abu Dhabi, before the new GP3/16 chassis is introduced for 2016.
Dennis and the RSF will take advantage of a new tie-up between Arden and Jota Sport designed to help young drivers into sportscar racing.
Jota, which won the LMP2 class at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2014, will expand into the World Endurance Championship next year and Dennis will be one of its drivers at Spa and Le Mans.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for me – an absolute win-win situation for sure,” said 20-year-old Dennis.
“Not only do I get to take another step up the single-seater ladder with one of the top teams in GP3 but I also get my first taste of endurance racing with a Le Mans LMP2 class-winning team as well.
“I can’t thank the RSF, Arden and Jota Sport enough for setting this up for me.
“The chances it gives me to showcase what I’m capable of in front of probably the two biggest audiences in motorsport will be invaluable as I progress my career.”
Arden has had a strong record in GP3 over recent seasons, winning four races in 2015 with Emil Bernstorff and Kevin Ceccon and taking Red Bull Formula 1 racer Daniil Kvyat to the 2013 title.
“This programme for Jake is exactly what Arden and Jota have joined together to create and we are delighted that our partnership is benefiting a driver of his calibre,” said Arden’s general manager Julian Rouse.
“There is a long term plan for Jake that we are all working towards and it is great that the Racing Steps Foundation shares the same vision as us. We are very thankful of that.
“Judging by how well Jake has already integrated into the team, together with his performance on track in Abu Dhabi, it is going to be an exciting season ahead.”