Jehan Daruvala joins Marcus Armstrong at Prema for FIA F3 in 2019

Daruvala will join 2017 Italian F4 champion Marcus Armstrong in the three-car Prema team, with Ferrari Academy driver Robert Shwartzman expected to complete its line-up.

The announcement marks the end of the 20-year-old's two-year association with Carlin, in a period in which he scored two victories and eight podium finishes in the Formula 3 European Championship in 2017-18.

Daruvala took part in the final round of this year's GP3 series in Abu Dhabi last month, pictured below, to get race experience on the Pirelli tyres that would also be used in the new F3 series.

"The new F3 series is going to be very exciting and a different experience for me," said Daruvala.

"Driving on an Formula 1 weekend, on Pirelli tyres and an expected grid of 30 drivers, is going to be fun and challenging.

"I am extremely excited and proud to begin this journey with Prema and I am confident that we can achieve great results together.

"I would like to thank Prema for having the confidence in me and giving me the opportunity to be a part of this successful team."

Prema team principal Rene Rosin added: "Jehan is definitely a promising prospect.

"We have known and respected each other for a while now and we are happy that all the dots finally connected to start what we expect to be a great relationship.

"He always impressed when he had the right chance in the past, and our goal will be to put him in the right position to express his full potential.

"We are confident that he will make great progress while providing us with valuable insight heading into the challenging season ahead."

Daruvala had been nurtured by Force India as part of its 'One from a Billion' programme, but that association is likely to end following the team's revival as Racing Point after its sale to a consortium led by Lawrence Stroll.