Aitken to make GP3 switch with Arden

Aitken, 20, won titles in both the Formula Renault 2.0 Alps and Eurocup Formula Renault series in 2015, and was deciding between Formula 3.5 and GP3 for the next step in his career.

He tested with Koiranen, Status and Arden in the GP3 post-season run at Yas Marina and has finally opted to sign with the latter squad, which took him to the top of the timesheets in one of the test sessions.

"We first worked with Jack in 2013 in the young driver test in FR3.5," recalled Arden boss Julian Rouse. "He was already impressive then and now that he has finished his studies and had the chance to fully focus on the racing in 2015, the performance from him has been outstanding in what was a very competitive year in FR2.0.

"We had a very good test in Abu Dhabi as well at the end of the year, it showed Jack is clearly ready to challenge for race wins in his rookie season in GP3 so we are really looking forward to continuing our success with him.”

Arden has been part of the GP3 series since its inception in 2010 and took Mitch Evans and Daniil Kvyat to drivers' titles - although it never claimed the teams' championship.

It placed third in the 2015 edition, with Emil Bernstorff and Kevin Ceccon taking four victories between them.

Aitken is the second driver signed by Arden for the 2016 season as he joins compatriot and F3 graduate Jake Dennis.

"After working together once back in 2013, and having become close to all the guys here during the early years of my career, I'm extremely excited to be racing with Arden this year in GP3," Aitken added.

"Having come off the back of a championship-winning year in a very competitive series, I'm keen to not rest on our laurels and take the fight to the next level in GP3."