Zonta lines up racing return

The Brazilian, who drove for British American Racing and Jordan in Formula 1, has joined Gabord Competicion for the one-make single-seater series, which kicks off at Valencia on May 12.

Zonta has not raced since the German GP last year when he drove for Jordan in the wake of Heinz-Harald Frentzen's sacking. But Jean Alesi took over from Zonta thereafter, leaving him out in the cold. The 26-year-old was convinced that the new series has potential when he tested one of the 415bhp Nissan-engined Dallaras at Albacete back in February.

"When they invited me I took it as a normal shakedown to help the organisers, but when I tested the car I was really interested in taking part," said Zonta. "The car is very fast, modern and similar to an F1."

Brazilian karting champion Tuka Rocha will join him at Gabord. "It's hard to believe that I left go-karting in the year 2000, and now I'm about to start competing in Europe in a category that is already considered superior to international Formula 3000," said the 19-year-old. "It's really good to have someone like Ricardo by my side. I'll look at his data and I can compare myself with the best driver in the series."

Zonta's signing has been confirmed in the same week that F3000 champion Justin Wilson joined the series. Former Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix winner Andre Couto, Indian ace Narain Karthekeyan and Frenchman Franck Montagny will also be on the grid this year. Former British F3 champion Marc Hynes could make his motorsport return in the series too.