Force India test driver Nikita Mazepin has kept his place in 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 h🌞is name.

Mazepin hit the headlines when he was handed a one-race ban in Hungary for a 'physi🐟cal 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 relishi꧂ng the prospect of building on that experience to launch himself up the Euro F3 grid in 20🌟17.

"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 f🤡ul𓆏l season in car racing.

"I managed to๊ show at certain points, partic﷽ularly Spa, Paul Ricard and Hockenheim, 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 retained in the team's juಞnior pro📖gramme 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 be𓆉 announced in the coming weeks.