Australian single seater star Joey Mawson will contest the FIA European Formula 3 Championship this season with top outfit Van Amersfoort Racing.
The 20-year-old will continue his association with the Dutch squad that helped him to the German Formula 4 Championship title last season.
Mawson has been eyeing a move to the hotly contested European F3 Championship since his F4 title triumph.
The Sydney-born driver, who narrowly missed out on the MRF Challenge title last week, tested a Van Amersfoort Racing F3 car at Monza in October last year.
Mawson feels he is ready to make the next step in his career having showcased his talent in F4.
“I am ready for the next step,” said Mawson.
“Following the strong relationship we have built up, I am glad to be taking the next step together with Van Amersfoort Racing.
“I know everybody in the team, they know me, so that will definitely help to speed up the learning process in my first season in Formula 3.
“I am well aware of the task that I am facing, but I am eager to learn and acquire more experience.
“I have already had my first taste of driving the Dallara-Mercedes Formula 3 car and I can hardly wait to get back behind the wheel again.”
Van Amersfoort Racing boss Frits van Amersfoort is pleased to see Mawson graduate through his squad's ranks.
“We really enjoyed working with Joey in the past two years and after all the success we have had together, it was only natural we could work together for the coming season.” said van Amersfoort.
“Allowing drivers who raced with us in the lower formulae to make the next step in their careers while staying with our team is exactly in line with our philosophy of the Van Amersfoort Racing single-seater staircase.
“Joey is a perfect example and we are looking forward to working with him again this year.”
Pre-season testing begins at Hungary's Hungaroring from March 24-25 ahead of the opening round at Silverstone from April 14-16.