MacLeod secures European F3 drive

German and British Formula 3 race winner Sam MacLeod has become the first driver confirmed for the Motopark team's full-time return to the top level of Formula 3. The 20-year-old Scot will step up to the F3 European Championship after an extensive testing program toward the end of 2014 with Motopark's Dallara-Volkswagen.

MacLeod is currently contesting the Toyota Racing Series in New Zealand, taking his first win in the category last weekend at Hampton Downs.

"Our many victories and titles in domestic F3 have prepared the crew perfectly for a move up the ladder," team boss Timo Rumpfkeil, whose squad has run numerous German F3 champions, said. "We know that the European championship is going to be a whole lot tougher than our national cup, but at the same time the general requirements remain the same.

"Our aim has got to be to fight right at the front as quickly as possible; we've got the equipment and engineers to do so, and now all we needed was the drivers. It was pretty obvious Sam [who raced against Motopark last year with Van Amersfoort Racing] is highly talented; more often than not we had to pull out all the stops to beat him. He has a lot of potential and I'm sure we'll play a major role together in European F3."

European F3 lineup so far

Prema Powerteam: Jake Dennis, Lance Stroll, Brandon Maisano
Carlin: Gustavo Menezes, George Russell, Ryan Tveter, Antonio Giovinazzi
Van Amersfoort Racing: Alessio Lorandi, Charles Leclerc
Mucke Motorsport: Michele Beretta, Mikkel Jensen, Santino Ferrucci*
Team West-Tec: TBA
Fortec Motorsport: TBA
EuroInternational: TBA
Double R Racing: Nicolas Pohler, Matt Solomon
T-Sport: TBA
Motopark: Sam MacLeod
Signature: Alexander Albon, Dorian Boccolacci
Jo Zeller Racing: TBA
Ma-Con Motorsport: TBA
Artline Engineering: TBA

* Not officially announced

Originally on Autosport.com