Smith signs up for GP3 with Carlin

The McLaren AUTOSPORT BRDC Award winner won the Formula Renault UK title last year and is also a previous Formula BMW UK champion. He is the first driver to be confirmed by Carlin for GP3 after picking up financial support from Racing Steps.

The foundation already backs Oliver Turvey, who will race for iSport in GP2 this year, and James Calado, who is with Carlin in British F3.

"I'm so excited about GP3 and very thankful to the RSF, Tomax [management] and Carlin for making this opportunity possible for me," said Smith. "To be involved in a new championship such as GP3 is extremely exciting and I'm sure with Carlin I will have the package to enable me to challenge the front runners.

"My test at Paul Ricard last week went very well and I'm confident that this is the right place to be at this point in my career. I'll be working hard to repay the faith that everyone has shown in me this season."

Team boss Trevor Carlin added: "We've been watching Dean's progress for some time and have been in touch with him since the end of the 2009 season. I've no doubt that we have a race winner within the team now and I'm very excited about Dean's potential for the season ahead. We are extremely grateful to Graham Sharp [RSF founder].

John Surtees acts as racing ambassador for Racing Steps and believes Smith could be a star of the future.

"It would have been a travesty if a driver with Dean's talent had been without a drive this season," said Surtees. "Dean's position as an under-funded but talented British driver is the reason for the Racing Steps Foundation's existence. The fact that the RSF has been able to step in and make this possible for Dean is a testament to the work that the Foundation continues to do in British motorsport."