Top Viper team signs young F3 charger

Bleekemolen, who has previously raced in Formula Palmer Audi and Formula Ford, will share the team's lead car with its top driver from 2000, Mike Hezemans.

"He tested the car last Friday and was immediately quick," said Hezemans. "We're hoping to win the championship, of course, but there is going to be a lot of competition."

Bleekemolen, who is 19-years old, said: "When I couldn't get the budget to stay in F3, I looked at the FIA series."

The outfit has also been hard at work developing its Viper over the winter, and firmly believes its updated machinery can take the challenge to the British-based Lister Storm squad.

"There's not much left of the old car - over 80 things are different from last year's version," added Hezemans. "We're using a different front-end, sequential gearbox, new aerodynamics, weight distribution, new radiator and changed the driver position. We've moved the oil tank, changed the mufflers and we're doing an engine test programme. All the parts have been tested on the old car, and seem to work well. We hope to have at least one car ready for the Valencia test [on February 20], if not two."

The team's second car is expected to be shared by Jeroen's father, Michael Bleekemolen, and brother Sebastiaan.