Ramos joins Fortec's FR3.5 team

The Brazilian sampled Formula Renault 3.5 machinery with P1 Motorsport and Draco at Motorland Aragon's collective test last season, before running with Fortec in a private test at the circuit last November.

Team boss Richard Dutton commented: "We worked hard to get this fantastic line-up. Cesar tested with us at Motorland and we were very impressed with him.

"Obviously, Rossi has been very quick in testing as well, so it is probably the strongest line-up we have had since we have been in World Series."

Ramos also tested a Ferrari Formula 1 car during the winter as a prize for winning the Italian F3 title, and Dutton said the Brazilian came highly recommended.

"The Italian F3 series that Cesar won has been getting stronger, and he impressed Ferrari as well because they were keen that we test him," the Fortec boss added.

Dutton believes Fortec's driver choice makes it well-placed to challenge title favourite Daniel Ricciardo, the 2010 runner-up and Toro Rosso F1 test driver who is returning with ISR.

"Daniel Ricciardo is going to be very hard to beat, but hopefully we can take the challenge to him," said Dutton.

Fortec - then running as Mofaz Fortec - took Renault F1 test driver Fairuz Fauzy to the runner-up spot in the 2009 FR3.5 championship, and was a race winner last season with Sten Pentus.