Force India test driver Nikita Mazepin has kept his place i♛n the Hitech GP team fold for a second FIA European Formula 3 campaign.

The Russian teenager ended a difficult rookie🍸 Euro F3 season 20th in the overall drivers' standings with just four points finishes to his name.

Mazepin hit the headlines when he was handed a one-race ban in Hungary for a 'physical altercation' in the Hungaroring paddock but both the team and the 17-yꦰear-old were able to mജove on after the incident.

Despite a tricky rookie year Mazepin is relishing the prospect of builꦰding on that experience to launch himself up the Euro F♔3 grid in 2017.

"I had a good first season in Formula 3"⭕, Mazepin said. "Of course, it was a steep learning curve as it was only my second full season in car racing.

"I managed to show at certain points, particularly Spa, Paul Ricard and Hockenheim, where I had my first rookie podium, that I ha෴ve the potential to make the step up next year to fight at the front. This is the target."

Mazepin drove for Force India at the second F1 in-season test at Silverstone last July but it is not y🥂et known whether the Russian driver will be retained in the🐬 team's junior programme for next year.

Mazepin joins alongside the already-announced Ralf Aron, who has switched from Prema to HitechGP for 2017, with the British tജeam's third driver expected to be announced in the coming weeks.