Stoneman secures Manor GP3 drive

Dean Stoneman has secured a full-time GP3 seat with the Marussia Formula 1 team's junior arm Manor.

The 2010 Formula 2 champion made his single-seater return at the end of last season when he drove for Koiranen in the GP3 finale in Abu Dhabi and came close to winning race two.

Stoneman's career had previously been interrupted when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer just after winning the F2 crown, completing his prize F1 test with Williams and sealing a Formula Renault 3.5 deal for the 2011 season.

"It has taken us a while to find the right team, but I think we have now established the best balance of support, professionalism and expertise to give me a strong chance of fighting for the championship this season," he said. "Manor has a long history of success at this level and of course the connection to the Marussia F1 team is obviously exciting.

"I can't wait to get to the first test in Portugal later this month and start preparing for my full first season back in single-seaters for over three years."

The 23-year-old returned to motorsport in power boat racing initially after treatment, then raced in the Porsche Carrera Cup in Britain last year before deciding to get back into open-wheel racing.

Stoneman will be joined at Manor by team returnee Ryan Cullen and Koiranen convert Patrick Kujala.