Pietro Fantin and Jazeman Jaafar complete Carlin's British F3 line-up

The pair join Carlos Sainz Jr, Harry Tincknell and Jack Harvey in the team's five-car line-up and are both aiming to give the Volkswagen-powered squad its eighth drivers' title.

Fantin (pictured), who finished eighth in last year's championship with Hitech, said: "I've really enjoyed winter testing with Carlin so far. I'm sure the team will do a good job developing the new F3 car with the great staff and resources they have and with four great team mates, I know we will generate a lot of useful information on the new chassis.

"I'm extremely glad now to drive for the best team in the pit lane and I don't have any other goals for the season other than winning the championship, and I'm sure that with Carlin I can achieve that.

"I will have four excellent team mates and drivers from other teams who will also be chasing the title but I know by working hard myself and with my engineer I will be able to fight for victories from the start."

Unlike Brazilian teenager Fantin, Malaysian driver Jaafar did not win a race last year, although he did finish two places higher in the championship. He was, however, part of Carlin's line-up, and believes that he will benefit hugely from the continuity his new deal provides.

"Having the continuity of staying with Carlin is vital to me. It means that we can hit the ground running with the new model of car which we're all racing this season and as I know all the mechanics. I've built a good rapport with my engineer and we'll be straight into the development work from the first test of the year.

"I'm chasing the elusive first win in British F3 and I'm totally determined to achieve this in the coming season, as well as to improve further to finish in the top three. Of course, winning the championship outright is the goal and I have the motivation and experience to do this, as well as the team around me."