Asmer returns to Britain with Hitech

The Estonian last raced for the team in 2005 on his way to fourth place in the standings, but he spent last year racing in the Japanese F3 championship.

Asmer returned to Hitech for last year's Macau Grand Prix, where he provided the team with a lift by putting them at the sharp end after a difficult season.

This year will be his fourth year in Formula Three, and team boss David Hayle believes that he will be one of the drivers battling for the title.

"Marko is going to be very strong," he said. "I'm sure he will be a lot of people's favourite, however winning is never that easy in British F3.

"We have a very experienced and determined team of people, and Macau 2006 was a perfect example of our capabilities."

Asmer will be joined by Formula Renault graduate Walter Grubmuller at Hitech this year.

Hayle added: "We have a two year programme with Walter and while the championship is his aim for 2008, we must try to get results with him in his learning year."

Asmer was a championship contender in his last British F3 campaign, but the Estonian's challenge fell away as he failed to win a race and Carlin Motorsport dominated the second half of the season.

Last year, Hitech had been hoping for success with Mercedes engines, but the driver line-up of Salvador Duran, James Jakes and James Walker did not yield any victories.