GP3 testing pacesetter Dorian Boccolacci secures Trident seat

Boccolacci - who finished second in the in the 2016 Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup after racing in European Formula 3 in '15 - set the fastest times at the final two GP3 pre-season tests, which took place at Barcelona and Valencia last month, for Trident without having firmed up a deal with the team.

The 18-year-old Frenchman will make his GP3 debut next weekend when the first round of the series begins as part of the support package for Formula 1's Spanish Grand Prix.

"[GP3] is a new and challenging series for me considering the high level of the competition," Boccolacci said as the deal was announced.

"I feel very confident after all the work done together with the team's technical staff.

"They enabled me to perform at the very best during preseason testing.

"We expect a tight battle this season and we have a lot of work in front of us."

After racing in European F3 for the last two seasons, 22-year-old Tveter joins Trident's GP3 ranks alongside Boccolacci and the two drivers the team had already announced for 2017, Giuliano Alesi, son of former F1 racer Jean Alesi, and Kevin Jorg.

"The chemistry with Trident has been great from the start and we've worked really well together since my first GP3 test in Abu Dhabi at the end of the season last year," said Tveter.

"With a strong pre-season testing under our belts, I'm feeling happy, confident, and well prepared for Barcelona and the season ahead."

Another driver who will make his GP3 debut at Barcelona is Marcos Siebert, the 21-year-old Argentinian driver who won the 2016 Italian Formula 4 championship ahead of Mick Schumacher.

Siebert announced via his Twitter account that he will be taking part in the opening round of the 2017 season for Campos Racing.