Robin Frijns graduates to FR3.5 with Fortec

The Dutchman earned a 500,000 Euro scholarship for his 2011 championship success. Frijns tested with Fortec's outgoing FR3.5 car at Motorland Aragon during the final test of 2011.

The 2010 Formula BMW Europe champion previously sampled ISR FR3.5 machinery at Barcelona.

Frijns will partner British Formula 3 graduate Carlos Huertas to form an all-rookie line-up.

Fortec has already taken delivery of one new car, chassis number two, which has been assigned to Colombian Huertas.

Fortec team manager Jamie Dye said: "We're running two rookies again as we did in 2011. We can offer a lot to new drivers to help them challenge the second year drivers, some of whom are also running with teams the size of Carlin.

"This year Carlin are going to have two rookies as well, so it is going to be more of an even playing field, but we've still got our eye on a few other experienced people out there.

"We know can beat them, and we will beat them, we just need to get that extra gear up, that's all. We need to try and do our best developing this new car so we really start at the front and then continue from there."

Fortec scored race wins last year with Alexander Rossi, the American finishing as top rookie and third overall in the standings.