Formula Renault 3.5 renamed as Formula 3.5 V8 for 2016 season

Autosport revealed earlier this year once the 2015 season was over, and at the season finale at Jerez last weekend further plans emerged from series promoter RPM Racing.

A provisional 2016 calendar was revealed, featuring rounds at Aragon, Hungaroring, Spa, Paul Ricard, Silverstone, Red Bull Ring, Monza, Barcelona and Jerez.

RPM president Jaime Alguersuari Sr said: "We have worked on a calendar that allows our drivers to find the best path, and provides them with the best tools to prepare as future professional drivers.

"Our priority was the race tracks that host grands prix."

The re-branded Formula 3.5 V8 category holds its first test this week at Jerez, starting on Tuesday.

Two new teams are understood to be close to joining the championship, in addition to Amato Ferrari's incoming Spirit of Race team, .

DAMS, which won the 2013 and '14 drivers' championships with Kevin Magnussen and Carlos Sainz Jr, has already confirmed it will .

The French team's managing director Francois Sicard said: "I'd like to thank the whole World Series and the Renault organisation.

"We've had great years and scored many victories that are part of our history.

"DAMS has now set its sights on other objectives with the hope of achieving the same level of success."

PROVISIONAL CALENDAR:

(Events' other headline races in brackets)

April 16-17 Aragon, Spain (RS01/FRenault Eurocup)

April 23-24 Hungaroring, Hungary* (World Touring Car Championship)

May 21-22 Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium (GT Open)

June 25-26 Paul Ricard, France* (Blancpain Endurance)

July 23-24 Silverstone, Great Britain (GT Open)

September 10-11 Red Bull Ring, Austria* (GT Open)

October 1-2 Monza, Italy (GT Open)

October 29-30 Barcelona, Spain (GT Open)

November 5-6 Jerez, Spain (EuroFormula Open)

* Still to be confirmed