FV8 3.5 race winner Orudzhev switches to title-winning AVF team

World Series Formula V8 3.5 championship race winner Egor Orudzhev has completed a switch to AVF for the 2017 season.

SMP-backed Orudzhev claimed more race wins than any other driver in last year's Formula V8 3.5 championship, recording five victories.

The Russian moves across from Arden, where he was a race winner for the last two seasons, to Adrian Valles' AVF team, which carried Tom Dillmann to the 2016 drivers' title.

He will partner Matevos Isaakyan at the squad, his fellow Russian having also switched to AVF after spending the previous campaign with SMP Racing.

"I am happy to become a part of AV Formula," said Orudzhev, who recovered from three consecutive non-scores in the opening three races last year to stage a strong championship assault.

"They were competitive and consistent last year and I look forward to building on this to enjoy even more success in 2017.

"And this is good opportunity for me to fight for the title. I want to thank once again SMP Racing for their support and believing in me. I'm really looking forward to being back on track."

Team principal Valles added: "We are delighted to field two drivers from SMP Racing, [Matevos] Isaakyan and Orudzhev, in the 2017 World Series Formula V8 3.5.

"With the addition of Egor, our line-up is definitely one of the most interesting of the whole pack and I think we will be able to challenge once again for the title with both drivers.

"Orudzhev is a quick, smart and talented driver with good experience in the series. In 2016, he made a considerable step forward, becoming one of the brightest stars of the championship."

MEXICANS COMPLETE FORTEC LINE-UP

AVF becomes the third World Series FV8 3.5 team to complete its line-up, after Fortec announced an all-Mexican line-up of Diego Menchaca and Alfonso Celis Jr earlier this week.

Telmex-supported Menchaca graduates from Euroformula Open and will partner Celis, Force India's Formula 1 Friday driver, who last year raced with AVF.

World Series FV8 3.5 will race at the Mexico City World Endurance Championship event in early September.

"I'm very excited to carry on with my sporting career by joining the World Series Formula V8 3.5," said Menchaca.

"It's a natural move for me, especially having attended most of the races last year while I was participating in EuroFormula Open.

"Winter testing went really well, and I can't wait to be behind the wheel. Of course, the fact there is one meeting organised in Mexico is going to be the high point of the season, with the Mexican crowds cheering for us."