Ex-Caterham F1 tester Roberto Merhi joins Pons for FR3.5 return

The Spaniard, who took part in the first practice sessions at the Italian, Japanese and Russian Grands Prix with Caterham, was an FR3.5 title contender with Zeta Corse last season.

Although Merhi said at the end of 2014 that his preference was to move on from FR3.5, he has now completed a deal with Pons.

A team statement said: "Pons Racing is proud to field an incredibly skilled racer like Merhi, and to form a powerful all-Spanish combination to chase the 2015 honours."

Merhi will make his debut with Pons in the FR3.5 winter test at Jerez on March 5-6.

The 23-year-old Spaniard made a single-seater comeback last season, having spent 2012 and '13 in the DTM with Mercedes after winning the 2011 European Formula 3 title.

Pons still has a further seat vacant following its announcement earlier this week that its deal with Oscar Tunjo had fallen through.

2015 FR3.5 LINE-UP SO FAR

DAMS

Nyck de Vries, Dean Stoneman

Fortec Motorsports

Oliver Rowland, TBA

Arden Motorsport

Egor Orudzhev, Nicholas Latifi

Zeta Corse
Facu Regalia, TBA

Lotus

Meindert van Buuren, Matthieu Vaxiviere

Strakka Racing

Gustav Malja, Tio Ellinas

AVF

Beitske Visser, Alfonso Celis

Tech 1 Racing

Aurelien Panis, Roy Nissany

International Draco Racing

Pietro Fantin, Bruno Bonifacio

Pons Racing
Roberto Merhi, tba

Carlin
Tom Dillmann, Sean Gelael

Comtec Racing
Yet to announce any drivers