Johnny Cecotto Jr switches to Arden for 2013 GP2 campaign

The 23-year-old Venezuelan took his first wins in the category with Addax last year, in his third full season in GP2.

Arden driver Luiz Razia was champion Davide Valsecchi's main rival in 2012.

After promising winter testing pace from Cecotto, Arden team boss Julian Rouse is confident he can be a title threat.

"He has shown great potential since he first joined the series three years ago and he has developed strongly with the current car and the Pirelli tyres," said Rouse.

"We had an excellent test together in Jerez, finishing both sessions at the top of the timesheets, which assured us of his talent on track and technical ability to work with the team.

"I am more than confident that if we work hard together we can go one better in the drivers' championship in 2013."

Cecotto added that he had gelled well with Arden at the Jerez test.

"We had the possibility to get to know each other in a test and straight away there was a great feeling between the engineers, mechanics and me," he said.

"I feel it was the right moment to sign so that we have plenty of time to prepare for the championship well.

"The target is definitely to win the championship and I'm sure that both the team and I have the potential to do so."

2013 GP2 line-up so far:

DAMS                     Marcus Ericsson    Stephane Richelmi
ART (Lotus GP)           James Calado       Daniel Abt
Arden International      Johnny Cecotto Jr  TBA
Racing Engineering       TBA                TBA
Carlin                   Felipe Nasr        Jolyon Palmer
iSport                   TBA                TBA
Caterham Racing          TBA                TBA
Addax Team               Rio Haryanto       TBA
Rapax                    Stefano Coletti    TBA
Trident Racing           TBA                TBA
Ocean Racing Technology  TBA                TBA
Lazarus GP               TBA                TBA
MP Motorsport            Daniel de Jong     TBA