Alessio Lorandi has switched to Trident for the 2018 GP3 season, joining Giuliano Alesi and Ryan Tveter at the Italian outfit.

The 19-year-old completed his first entire GP3 campaign with Jenzer last year, winning the Jerez sprint race, after making his debut for the Swiss at Malaysia in October 2016.

He finished seventh in the drivers’ championship with three other podiums collected.

Lorandi also competed in post-season testing at Abu Dhabi last December, placing sixth or better on the timesheets in four of the six sessions.

His signing means that Trident has at least one driver from its native country for the sixth time in the last seven years.

“We are extremely satisfied to announce the deal with Alessio Lorandi,” team manager Giacomo Ricci said.

“He will surely be able to continue the great tradition in terms of results scored by Italian drivers under our banner.

“Alessio impressed our technical staff in testing and I’m sure that we have everything we need to aim for some excellent results together.

“Alessio will make our driver roster even more competitive.”

Lorandi added that his aim was on the top of the standings in 2018.

“Being at my second GP3 season, there is only one possible goal, fighting for the title,” he said.

“Trident has the staff and work ethics needed to accomplish the feat.

“In addition, my quick and experienced team-mates will motivate me to push even harder.”

Lorandi is the 14th competitor to be named on the 2018 line-up.

The Italian will receive his first taste of the Dallara GP3-16 machinery when pre-season tests begin at Circuit Paul Ricard on February 21-22,

Drivers for the 2018 GP3 grid so far:

ART: Anthoine Hubert, Jake Hughes, Callum Ilott, Nikita Mazepin

Trident: Giuliano Alesi, Alessio Lorandi, Ryan Tveter

Jenzer: Tatiana Calderon

Arden: Gabriel Aubry, Julien Falchero

Campos: Simo Laaksonen, Leonardo Pulcini

MP: Dorian Boccolacci, Niko Kari