Prema backs Ferrari junior Lance Stroll to win 2016 Euro F3 title

The Italian team has confirmed the retention of 17-year-old Stroll, who won the Italian Formula 4 title with Prema in 2014 and scored a maiden Euro F3 win last month on his way to fifth in the standings.

Team manager Rene Rosin said: "It is an honour to have Lance with us again for the 2016 F3 European Championship.

"He did a superb job this season - he was the class of the rookie field and also fought with much more experienced rivals, proving he is ready for the next step.

"I am sure he has all it takes to fight for the overall crown."

Canadian Stroll added: "I'm certain that Prema will give me the equipment and support to launch an attack on the title, which is my goal.

"This year they've done an awesome job for me - I honestly could not be happier than continuing to work with Rene and his team again next year and I know we will be ultra-competitive."

Prema plans to field a four-car team of Mercedes-powered Dallaras again next season, with two rookies joining Stroll and another driver with F3 experience.

Racing Steps-backed Briton Ben Barnicoat, who was a multiple race winner in the Formula Renault Eurocup this season, is understood to be close to a deal, as is Estonian Ralf Aron, winner of this year's Italian F4 Championship with Prema.

Experienced drivers to have run for Prema recently include Maximilian Gunther (in the 2015 finale at Hockenheim), along with Arjun Maini, Raoul Hyman, Alessio Lorandi and Pietro Fittipaldi, all in testing.