Will Stevens to contest 2013 Formula Renault 3.5 with P1 Motorsport

The British racer moves across from Carlin, where he finished 12th in the championship in his rookie campaign.

Stevens, who drove for P1 , said: "I'm very happy to be joining P1 Motorsport for the 2013 season.

"I've tested with them on a number of occasions and have always been near the top of the timesheets so I take a lot of confidence from that.

"The car suits me, I feel really at home in the team and we are aligned in our objectives for next season.

"2012 was a good learning year for me and I'm ready to challenge for the championship in 2013."

P1 also expects Stevens to fight for the championship in his second year, after he set the pace during a private FR3.5 test at Barcelona recently.

P1's chief engineer Mike Henderson said: "Will's performance during the post-season test at Barcelona was incredibly positive and we are very much looking forward to working with him.

"The experience he has already gained in the category will put him in good stead for the coming season, in which we fully expect him to be a championship contender."

P1 also revealed that it is "approaching the final stage of negotiations" with a driver to be team-mate to Stevens.