Ihara re-signs with Carlin

Ihara will line up alongside another of Carlin's 2005 drivers, Christian Bakkerud, in the team and McLaren BRDC award winner Oliver Jarvis. Ricardo Teixeira will continue to drive in the National class for the team.

Japanese female racer Ihara finished 16th in the championship last season with a best result of ninth at Silverstone.

"The team is delighted that Keiko will remain as a part of the driver line-up for another season," said managing director Trevor Carlin. "Keiko showed great determination and dedication last year and I am positive she will do us proud in her second year as a British F3 driver."

Ihara believes one year's experience has made her better prepared for the challenges British F3 has to offer.

Ihara said: "It will be the first time for me to stay in the same category and with the same team and it will make a big difference in my development as a racing driver.

"I am in the best possible seat now to improve this year and I will work hard towards achieving good results. I knew before I started last year that it wasn't going to be easy, but I feel that when I arrive in the UK this year I will be much better prepared for the challenges ahead."