Trident move for 2021 FIA F3 season for 2019 British F3 champion Novalak

The French-born UK-based driver has moved to the Italian squad after completing his rookie FIA F3 year with Carlin, taking two podiums on his way to 12th in the standings.

Novalak, the 2019 BRDC British F3 champion, will race alongside David Schumacher, the son of Formula 1 race winner Ralf Schumacher, at Trident this season.

The team is expected to announce its third driver next week.

"It is with great pleasure to announce that I will be racing with Trident this year," said Novalak.

"I am extremely honoured to join such a prestigious team and I hope to take this opportunity to achieve my goals.

"I had an amazing experience with the team last year throughout post-season testing, and I really felt at one with the crew. Hence, I am extremely looking forwards to racing under the Trident colours for 2021."

Trident team manager Giacomo Ricci has already been impressed by Novalak in post-season testing.

"Clement is an extremely fast and competitive racer who has a lot of qualities," said Ricci.

"He is enthusiastic and absolutely dedicated to the work, I really like his approach and work method.

"We are delighted that he is part of our line-up for the 2021 FIA Formula 3 Championship.

"He impressed the team in the post-season tests and created great chemistry with all its members.

"I am sure that he is now set for a very competitive season under our banner.

"In 2020, he showed his full abilities, albeit with ups and downs.

"If he will make the step forward that I expect, he will be among the leading contenders in 2021."

The FIA F3 grid is edging closer to completion after MP Motorsport announced Tijmen van der Helm will complete its driver line-up.

The 17-year-old will make the step up to F3 following a season in the Formula Renault Eurocup that netted 12th in the championship, driving for Alpine F1 driver Fernando Alonso's FA Racing squad.

Meanwhile, it was confirmed on Thursday that the first FIA F3 pre-season test at Jerez has been postponed after Spain extended its travel ban on UK travellers, meaning Carlin and Hitech GP would be unable to attend.

Championship organisers have confirmed the test will be rescheduled.

At this stage, pre-season tests are slated for Barcelona on 16-17 March followed by another two-day outing at Austria's Red Bull Ring on 3-4 April.

The season opener is due to take place at the Spanish Grand Prix on 7-9 May.

FIA F3 2021 grid so far

Prema Racing: Arthur Leclerc, Dennis Hauger, Olli Caldwell
Trident: David Schumacher, Clement Novalak, TBA
ART Grand Prix: Frederik Vesti, Aleksandr Smolyar, Juan Manuel Correa
Hitech Grand Prix: Jak Crawford, Ayumu Iwasa, Roman Stanek
HWA Racelab: Matteo Nannini, Rafael Villagomez, Oliver Rasmussen
MP Motorsport: Victor Martins, Caio Collet, Tijmen van der Helm
Campos Racing: Amaury Cordeel, Lorenzo Colombo, TBA
Carlin Buzz Racing: Jonny Edgar, Ido Cohen, TBA
Jenzer Motorsport: Calan Williams, Pierre-Louis Chovet, TBA
Charouz Racing System: TBA, TBA, TBA