Alfonso Celis Jr will be doing double duty during 2015 after adding a Formula Renault 3.5 Series drive with AV Formula alongside his already confirmed ART Grand Prix drive in the GP3 Series.
The eighteen-year-old Mexican made his Formula Renault 3.5 series debut in a one-off appearance at the Nurburgring driving for Tech 1 Racing, and will join Dutch driver Beitske Visser in the AVF team this season.
“I couldn’t hope for a better start of the season,” said Celis. “Entering the highly-competitive Renault 3.5 championship with AVF by Adrián Vallés is the best possible solution I could ever find.
“I thank all the people who made this deal possible and I can’t wait to start the season, which will feature a double program also including the GP3 Series.”
Team Principal Adrian Valles was happy to announce his second driver for 2015, having confirmed Visser during the 2014 season. He admitted his team already has an option to retain the Mexican for a second season should he perform well this year.
“I’m delighted to welcome a promising young driver like Alfonso in our line-up,” said Valles. “He is one of the best prospects from Mexico, and we already have an option on him for 2016. We showed how effectively we can develop the skills of young drivers approaching the Renault 3.5 series.
“We already knew Celis from a test we had with him with the Renault 2.0 car at the beginning of his career, but now he has also matured a considerable experience in GP3 and in Formula 3. I’m convinced we will be able to achieve the goals we have set for this season.”