Wickens completes Status GP3 deal

The Canadian has already tested the team's GP3 car, and previously drove for the Status-run Team Canada in A1GP, where he was a race-winner.

"GP3 is a very good fit for me because we're at F1 grands prix and it'll be a great way to highlight myself and show I'm ready to step to F1 in 2011," said Wickens.

"Having driven the GP3 car with Status it made me even more eager to find the necessary funding to participate. It's been a big effort by many people in Canada, and I'm also very grateful to Status GP for showing faith in me. Together we're targeting nothing less than the championship.

"It's nice to see familiar faces from Team Canada - we've won together before and we can repeat that success."

Team manager Simon Cayzer was also pleased to be reunited with Wickens.

"The GP3 Series is a great stepping stone for Robert, and to have him in the team again is a boost for everyone," Cayzer said. "It's going to be a very competitive series, but we know just how talented Robert is and he'll be a contender from the start to finish."

Status has already signed Russian driver Ivan Lukashevich as its first driver, and ran Daniel Morad - another ex-A1GP racer - in its third car at the first GP3 test. Morad will remain on board for the next test at Paul Ricard, but has not yet confirmed a deal with the squad.