BRDC star Maini steps up to Euro F3

BRDC Formula 4 Championship runner-up Arjun Maini has taken the final seat with Van Amersfoort Racing for this season's Formula 3 European Championship. The 17-year-old from Bangalore steps up after just one season in car racing, and started 2015 by finishing fourth in the Toyota Racing Series in New Zealand with two race wins.

Maini joins Formula Renault ALPS runner-up Charles Leclerc and Italian karting superstar Alessio Lorandi in an extremely youthful all-rookie line-up in VAR's trio of Dallara-Volkswagens.

The team believes it has the drivers to build on Max Verstappen's third place in the 2014 rankings. Team boss Frits van Amersfoort, whose squad never tested Maini, said: "We are thrilled to have Arjun in our team for 2015. We saw in winter testing already his natural speed and he continued that in the TRS - we are proud that another young talent is joining our ranks."

Maini, who tested F3 machinery with Fortec Motorsport, Carlin and EuroInternational, added: "I'm quite excited to join such an experienced team – they have a lot of attention from the media after what they achieved last year. I am hoping to build on a solid foundation and learn as much as I can in my rookie season in the series."

GERMAN SCHILLER JOINS WEST-TEC

Team West-Tec has secured its first driver for its second season in the F3 European Championship. German Fabian Schiller steps up from the ADAC Formel Masters series, in which the 17-year-old from near Bonn won three races over the past two seasons.

West-Tec's John Miller said: "We have known 'Fabi' for several years and were pleased to give him his first F3 tests in 2014. He has always been fast and controlled, and I'm expecting him to be able to challenge well this season."

The Mercedes-powered West-Tec squad carried Felix Serralles to 12th in the championship last season.

F3 lineup so far

Prema Powerteam: Jake Dennis, Lance Stroll, Brandon Maisano, Felix RosenqvistCarlin: Gustavo Menezes, George Russell, Ryan Tveter, Antonio Giovinazzi, Callum IlottVan Amersfoort Racing: Alessio Lorandi, Charles Leclerc, Arjun MainiMucke Motorsport: Michele Beretta, Mikkel Jensen, Santino Ferrucci*Team West-Tec: Fabian SchillerFortec Motorsport: TBAEuroInternational: TBADouble R Racing: Nicolas Pohler, Matt SolomonT-Sport: TBAMotopark: Sam MacLeod, Markus Pommer, Mahaveer Raghunathan, Sergio Sette Camara, Nabil Jeffri*Signature: Alexander Albon, Dorian BoccolacciJo Zeller Racing: TBAMa-Con Motorsport: TBAArtline Engineering: TBA* Not officially announced

Originally on Autosport.com