Idafar graduates to senior class

The British-born Bahraini will remain with the Brackley-based squad with which he won this year's National Class crown.
He will switch from an older Mugen-Honda-powered Dallara to a current-spec Volkswagen-engined F310 for his second season in the category.

The renewal of a commercial agreement with chief backer Gulf Computer Services W.L.L has allowed the 19-year-old to continue his F3 career and Idafar has tested regularly with T-Sport since the close of the 2010 championship in September.

"I'm so happy to be staying with T-Sport for my step-up to the International Class," said Idafar. "Everyone at the team worked really hard this year and we built a great relationship.

"The tests we've done in the A Class car so far have been good, we're definitely on the right track. It's going to be a very big challenge but I'm ready and really looking forward to it."

Idafar sealed his National Class title with an outright podium in the final race of the season at Brands Hatch. The result gave him his 18th class victory from 30 races and helped him edge out his 2009 British Formula Ford champion team-mate James Cole for the championship.

T-Sport team principal Russell Eacott is delighted Idafar will be staying with the team.

"We're very happy that Menasheh is continuing with us in 2011," he said. "It's good to be able to take a driver from the National to the International Class.

"So far the winter testing has gone very well so we are looking forward to another strong season with him."