Rising single seater star Harry Hayek will return to Europe to contest the BRDC British Formula 3 Championship this year.
The 19-year-old has agreed a deal to join the renowned Double R Racing squad in the hotly contested junior category.
The Sydney-born driver completed the opening three rounds of the British F4 Championship with Jamun Racing last year, before returning to Australia, where he raced in the remaining rounds of the domestic F4 series.
He scored three wins in addition to five other top-three results on his way to fourth in the championship.
Hayek has recently been in action in the Toyota Racing Series in New Zealand.
“I'm absolutely thrilled to be joining Double R for the 2017 BRDC British F3 Championship,” said Hayek.
“Late last year we did a couple of test days with the team and were extremely impressed with their professionalism, productivity and ability to operate a race team which is clearly reflected in their results.
“Boyo's confidence in me goes both ways, and I feel that at the end of the year I'm going to be a much better driver under his guidance.
“The British F3 Championship itself has stood on top of the junior formula list for decades now and sometimes I have to pinch myself that I will be competing in such a prestigious series.
“For myself, pre-season testing has just commenced at Rockingham yesterday with everything running very smoothly.
“The cars are a lot of fun to drive and I'm looking forward to a great year ahead. To say I'm excited would be an understatement.”
Double R Racing boss Anthony ‘Boyo' Hieatt is looking forward to working with Hayek following his impressive display during a test at Silverstone last year.
“He's a great lad, fantastic young driver and has a good family around him,” said Hieatt.
“When he tested with us last year at Silverstone GP he was immediately on the pace, absolutely flying, so I'm confident he can develop into a proper championship contender. He's razor sharp after doing the Toyota Racing Series.”
The BRDC F3 Championship begins at Oulton Park from April 15-17.