Aitken and Panis ready for new challenge with Arden

Jack Aitken is ready for new season with Arden International

Arden Internaional are continuing their driver plans for the forthcoming season.

Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup and ALPS 2015 Champion Jack Aitken graduates to GP3 with Arden International following winter testing program.

British-born Aitken (20) clinched the FR2.0 title at the final round in Jerez in October 2015, coming from a seven point deficit going into the weekend to finish 13 points clear of his contenders.

The young driver tallied an impressive six podiums and five wins on his way to the Eurocup title.

The Anglo-Korean participated in post-season testing with Arden International’s Formula V8 3.5 team at Jerez and Motorland, and then with the GP3 team in Abu Dhabi.

He excelled in the latter, topping the time sheets in the Arden machine on the afternoon of day two.

Arden general manager Julian Rouse said: “We first worked with Jack in 2013 in the young driver test in FR3.5.

“He was already impressive then and now he has finished his studies and had the chance to fully focus on the racing in 2015.

“The performance from him has been outstanding in what was a very competitive year in FR2.0.

“We had a very good test in Abu Dhabi as well at the end of the year, it showed Jack is clearly ready to challenge for race wins in his rookie season in GP3 so we are really looking forward to continuing our success with him.”

Aitken added: “After working together once back in 2013, and having become close to all the guys here during the early years of my career, I’m extremely excited to be racing with Arden this year in GP3.

“Having come off the back of a championship-winning year in a very competitive series, I’m keen to not rest on our laurels and take the fight to the next level in GP3.”

Meanwhile, Aurelien Panis has signed for the Banbury team for their FV8 3.5 challenge.

Panis had a very competitive and learning first season in the championship, formerly the World Series by Renault 3.5, scoring 42 points in 2015.

“Familiarity with the Series has been the backbone of the 21-year olds racing career as he completed seasons in Formula Renault 2.0 Alps, Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0, Formula Renault 2.0 NEC prior to moving into FV8 3.5.

“With a very strong season in Eurocup in 2014 that resulted in many front row qualifying performances and a victory in Moscow.”