Teams' champion Arden withdraws from World Series Formula V8 3.5
Reigning World Series Formula V8 3.5 teams' champion Arden Motorsport has pulled out of the series for 2017


The Banbury-based squad has elected not to continue amid a climate where it is increasingly difficult to attract drivers with budgets to compete at that level of single-seater racing.
Arden general manager Julian Rouse told Autosport: "We don't think there's room at the top [rung of the junior ladder] for Formula 2 and Formula V8."
The decision brings an end to a five-year stint in the former Formula Renault 3.5 Series for Arden, which began under the Arden Caterham name in 2012.
Over 2012 and '13, Antonio Felix da Costa scored the first seven of Arden's 16 wins in the category, although it was non-race-winning Red Bull Junior Pierre Gasly who posted the team's best drivers' championship position of second in '14.
Russian talent Egor Orudzhev scored seven wins for Arden in 2015 and '16, combining with two-time winner Aurelien Panis to secure the teams' title last year.
Rouse added: "We told the organisers about two months ago that we wouldn't be doing it, but kept it quiet out of respect for them.
"We've had a good relationship with them over the past few years, and after winning the championship last year it's nice to come out of it on top and look back on it with fond memories."
Arden continues with its F2 (formerly GP2), GP3 Series and British Formula 4 programmes this season, and is also entering the Formula Renault Eurocup for the first time.

AVF's Egor Orudzhev sets pace in Formula V8 3.5 testing at Aragon
Silverstone Formula V8 3.5: Pietro Fittipaldi hangs on for win

Latest news
FV8 3.5 Bahrain: Binder beats Fittipaldi to win last ever race
Rene Binder claimed a lights-to-flag victory in the last ever Formula V8 3.5 race as he led team-mate Pietro Fittipaldi across the line in Bahrain
Pietro Fittipaldi becomes final Formula V8 3.5 champion
Pietro Fittipaldi won the final Formula V8 3.5 title with a race to spare after a second-place finish in Bahrain, combined with engine troubles for Matevos Isaakyan, was enough to claim the crown
Binder claims pole for last ever Formula V8 3.5 race in Bahrain
Rene Binder claimed the last ever pole position in the Formula V8 3.5 Championship as he dominated the second qualifying session in Bahrain
Bahrain Formula V8 3.5: Isaakyan on pole, Fittipaldi demoted
Matevos Isaakyan took his first pole of the World Series Formula V8 3.5 season in race one qualifying in Bahrain, as title rival Pietro Fittipaldi ended up only fourth
How the post-Renault 3.5 series is shaping up
When Renault ended its support of its 3.5 Formula, there were fears about the category's future. But as PETER MILLS explains, the rebadged FV8 3.5 series has retained an appeal to drivers
An era ended in 2015 as Renault withdrew its backing of Formula Renault 3.5. GLENN FREEMAN and PETER MILLS pick the 10 best drivers from the World Series by Renault years
The top 10 FR3.5 drivers of 2015
The 2015 Formula Renault 3.5 season will be notable for being the last with the French company's backing but also produced a worthy champion in Oliver Rowland. PETER MILLS evaluates this year's crop of drivers
Since 2005 the World Series by Renault package has launched a host of young stars on the path to Formula 1. But there's much more to the events, both on and off the track
The top 10 FR3.5 drivers of 2014
The field was perhaps not as strong as in the previous season, but Carlos Sainz Jr emerged as a worthy Formula Renault 3.5 champion. GLENN FREEMAN rates the top 2014 drivers
The top 10 FR3.5 drivers of 2013
There were some standout performances in the Formula Renault 3.5 title race this year, but one racer stood above all the others. GLENN FREEMAN looks back and picks out his top 10 drivers
The 2013 Formula Renault 3.5 grid guide
Last year's field was extraordinary and hard to match, but the Formula Renault 3.5 grid will still have plenty of talent this season. Glenn Freeman runs through the field ahead of this weekend's season opener
Vandoorne: future McLaren F1 star?
Landing the Fortec seat that took rising star Robin Frijns to the 2012 FR3.5 title was already a good sign for Stoffel Vandoorne. Then McLaren took him under its wing. Peter Mills tells Vandoorne's story so far