Tio Ellinas switches to Formula Renault 3.5 with Strakka Racing

Former GP3 frontrunner Tio Ellinas will drive for Strakka Racing in Formula Renault 3.5 this year, completing the team's 2015 line-up.

The 23-year-old Cypriot, who started eight GP2 races in 2014, joins fellow rookie Gustav Malja at Strakka.

"Strakka is the complete package with the best support and equipment on and off the track," said Ellinas, who tested for the team late last year.

"We worked really well at the test and it was clear that Strakka could engineer a quick car."

Ellinas has also signed a long-term deal with Strakka's driver management division.

Strakka team principal Dan Walmsley said: "In Tio, we see a driver with fantastic natural talent and the ability to work hard and learn.

"Managing him means that we can unleash and guide the potential he obviously has.

"Tio gives us a great line-up and we are extremely confident we can improve on our championship standings [sixth] from last year."

2015 FR3.5 line-up so far

DAMS
: Nyck de Vries, Dean Stoneman
Fortec Motorsports
: Oliver Rowland, TBA
Arden Motorsport
: Egor Orudzhev, Nicholas Latifi
Lotus
: Meindert van Buuren, Matthieu Vaxiviere
Strakka Racing: 
Gustav Malja, Tio Ellinas
AVF
: Beitske Visser, Alfonso Celis
Tech 1 Racing
: Aurelien Panis, Roy Nissany
International Draco Racing
: Pietro Fantin, Bruno Bonifacio
Pons Racing: 
Oscar Tunjo, TBA
Carlin: 
Tom Dillmann, Sean Gelael
Yet to announce any drivers: Zeta Corse, Comtec Racing