The American-Spanish driver makes the step up from t🐲he Euroformula Open Championship into F3.

Benavides scored points in 🅺eight of the final nine races of the season having joined the series midway through 2021.

His swit♓ch to Euro🤡Formula was after a disappointing spell in Formula Regional European Championship, with no points in 10 races.

The 20-year-old will te🐷am up with fellow rookie and Williams F1 academy driver Zak O’Sulli🦂van.

The🎃 Florida-born dr🌱iver tested for the team in days one and three of the post-season Valencia test.

“I’ve been a die-hard fan of racing my whole life꧑, and I now have in my hands the greatest opportunity I’ve ever had,” Benavides said. “I feel like, at the same time,𝓡 my greatest achievements are closer than ever. I am going to give my maximum effort this season and make it one to be proud of.”

Team owner Trevor Carlin added: “Brad is still a very young driver𓄧 at the start of his career. Making the step ♛up to FIA F3 in only his second season in Europe will be a big learning curve but Brad has a fantastic attitude both in and out of the car.

“We’re delighted he has chosen to stay with the team for this next step in his career and we can’t wait to get started with testing la🍬ter next month in Baဣhrain.”

The new F3 season gets underway alongside 💜Formula 1 and Formula 2 in 🎉Bahrain next month on March 18-20.