World Series Formula V8 3.5 extends World Endurance Championship deal

The series announced 12 months ago that it would join the WEC at six of its nine rounds this year, following a transitional 2016 season after Renault Sport withdrew its backing at the end of the '15 season.

RPM, which is headed up by Jaime Alguersuari Sr, has extended its agreement for a further year and said the renewal would link the series' calendar with the "majority" of next year's WEC events.

The full World Series Formula V8 3.5 calendar is expected to be announced after the summer.

As will be the case at the end of the current season, the top three drivers at the end of the 2018 campaign will also be given the opportunity to drive prototype and GTE machinery in the WEC's end of season rookie test, while the series will award race winners prize money for the first time.

RPM is also working on working on a new upgrade for its Dallara-Gibson cars that can be introduced with minimal cost impact on its existing six teams.

A minimum of two days of post-season testing - dates for which are yet to be firmed up - will be held, while the series' pre-season tests are expected to take place March and April 2018.

RPM's parent company Dentsu Aegis Network (DAN) has appointed Carlos Sainz Jr's former manager Borja Ortiz-Echague as its motorsport manager, who will help to organise the series from 2018 onwards.

"Top performance, cost control and affordability continues to be a high priority for the series that currently holds a cost/minute on track ratio that is less than half of other top performance single- seater series," said Ortiz-Echague.

"We believe that WSFV8 continues to be a key stepping stone in the development of young drivers to a professional status, either in Formula 1, like Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo or Carlos Sainz, in the FIA WEC or other high-performance categories.

"I believe that my experience in taking Carlos Sainz through this championship will help me to support the 2018 product development as well as helping the teams and drivers to achieve their ambition."