Orudzhev sticks with Arden for 2016 F3.5 season

Orudzhev, 20, won two races for Arden in the 2015 edition of the Formula Renault 3.5 series, paving way towards an overall finish of fifth.

Prior to that, he had been a podium finisher in French F4 and Formula Renault 2.0 and a race winner in British F3 and the Toyota Racing Series.

"I am delighted to be with Arden again for another season," said Orudzhev, who is backed by SMP Racing. "Next year could be a very good year, I am aiming to fight for the top 3 positions at every round and, of course, fight for the championship.

"I have good knowledge of the car now and working with the team, so I am more confident going into a second season. It will be good to continue in the manner that we finished the 2015 season."

Arden ran a number of drivers alongside Orudzhev in the off-season, among them Eurocup champion Jack Aitken, European F3 race winner Markus Pommer and Ferrari junior Antonio Fuoco.

Having entered FR3.5 in 2012, the squad never finished lower than fifth in the standings and had seven wins prior to Orudzhev - all courtesy of Antonio Felix da Costa.

"It’s great to have Egor back with us next season in F3.5 V8, he was a revelation in the 2015 season," said team boss Julian Rouse.

"I think it has opened people’s eyes to his talent and also shows the high level that our team works to as it is was the second season in a row we had fantastic results with a rookie driver.

"If we can build on the consistency which naturally comes in a driver's second season in a category, then the championship title is definitely a realistic target."