Force India test driver Nikita Mazepin has kept his place in the Hitech GP team fold f🍎or a second FIA European Form🅰ula 3 campaign.

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

Mazepin hit the head💙lines when he was handed a one-race ban in Hungary for a 'p🦩hysical altercation' in the Hungaroring paddock but both the team and the 17-year-old were able to move on after the incident.

Despite a tricky rookie year Mazepin is relishing the prospect of building on that experience to launch himself up the Euro F3 grid 🎶in 2017.

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

"I managed to show at certain points, particularly Spa, Paul Ricard and H🌠ockenhei♏m, where I had my first rookie podium, that I have 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 yet known whether the Russian driver will be retai🥂ned 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 team's third driver expected to be announced in⭕ the coming weeks.