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GP3 champion Evans steps up with Arden

Mitch Evans won the GP3 championship with MW Arden last season © Sutton Images

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GP3 champion Mitch Evans has been confirmed as one of Arden's race drivers for the 2013 GP2 season.

Evans - a protégé of Mark Webber - won the GP3 championship with MW Arden last season, earning him a €200,000 Pirelli prize to help fund a drive in GP2. It has now been confirmed that Evans will remain with Arden but move up to its GP2 outfit and race alongside Johnny Cecotto Jnr this season.

"Firstly I'd like the thank Arden for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to drive with them in GP2 after two greats years in GP3," Evans said. "I want to thank Mark Webber and Ann Neal and everyone behind the scenes that have made this possible, I am hugely grateful for the chance to race in the GP2 series. I have full trust in the team that they will give me the best opportunity to have a successful rookie season. I cannot wait for the season to get underway."

Arden's sporting director Julian Rouse said that he believes Evans' experience with the team will give him a strong chance of battling at the front this season.

"We are delighted to have Mitch move up to GP2 and stay with the Arden team," Rouse said. "We have a great relationship with him, and have seen him grow in the last two years in a Championship that was created to bring great drivers into GP2 Series. We tested Mitch at the Barcelona and Jerez tests at the end of last year and were encouraged by his performance especially as he was in the top 10 with drivers who have several years GP2 experience. Also with everyone at Arden knowing Mitch so well, I am sure we can develop him as a front running GP2 driver very quickly and efficiently."

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