Perera to drive for DAMS

Last week DAMS signed Ferdinando Monfardini to their GP2 squad for this season, and have now added Frenchman Perera to their line-up with Toyota's help.

Perera is a veteran of the programme, and fished fourth in the F3 Euroseries last season with Prema Powerteam.

He is the highest ranked of the six young drivers on this year's scheme, with the Japanese trio of Kohei Hirate, Kamui Kobayashi and Kazuki Nakajima being placed in the F3 Euroseries.

Hirate has F3 Euroseries experience with Team Rosberg but will join Japanese F3 runner Nakajima at British team Manor Motorsport. Reigning Formula Renault Eurocup champion Kobayashi, is joining reigning champions ASM.

Toyota have also signed Dutchman Henkie Waldschmidt and English Martin Plowman to their Formula Renault Eurocup teams.

Plowman has had a stellar karting career, wining French titles before signing a deal to drive for Alex Zanardi's kart team.

Despite the support all six will receive, TDP boss Noritoshi Arai has not promised them a Formula One future.

"We cannot guarantee that any of the drivers in the TDP will become Formula One drivers," Arai, said. "But one of the aims of the TDP is to seek out the next driving stars and to bring them up step-by-step to the racing series that most befits their talents.

"We will do all in our power to support them and give all racing fans around the world six extra reasons to support Toyota this season."