Will Bratt will compete in the Euroseries 3000 Championship, after agreeing a deal with ex-Formula 1 driver Emilio de Villota’s Spanish-based team.

The Adderbury racer (pictured) wanted a full race programme which didn’t impact too heavily on his final few months of study at Oxford University.

Bratt, 21, will remain with EmiliodeVillota.com Motorsport, the squad which ran him to fifth position overall in the 2008 FIAT Spanish Formula 3 Championship.

The series begins today at the new Portimao Circuit in the Algarve, Portugal.

Bratt said: “It’s been quite a challenge trying to identify a championship which fits in with my final year of study at Oxford.

“The series best suits us, especially as it means we can work with Emilio and his team again.

“The original aim was to be in GP2 this year, but because of other commitments, we had to look at other categories.

“Euroseries 3000 is a good championship, the cars are powerful and it has a fantastic prize – I’m really looking forward to my first run.”

He will drive an updated first generation A1 Grand Prix Lola B0552 chassis – powered by a Zytek engine producing about 550 horsepower.

The category has produced a number of quality racers, including Formula 1 ace Felipe Massa.