Front running Formula 3 driver Renger van der Zande will make his GP2 debut in the latest round of the Asia Series for Trust Team Arden, it has been announced.

The Dutchman replaces Mika Maki for the Dubai event, to be held on 5-6 December, and will partner Luiz Razia in the British-based team, where he will be hoping to improve on their failure to score last time out in China.

van der Zande, who was a two-time winner on the way to fourth in the F3 Euroseries standings this year, receives the opportunity by virtue of his affiliation with Trust, which acts as main sponsor for both his career and the race winning GP2 team.

Competing in Macau this weekend for what will probably be his final F3 appearance, van der Zande was delighted with the chance to impress on a higher profile stage.

"This is the best opportunity of my life, and I'm going to seize it with both hands,” van der Zande, who has tested recently with the team, said. “I want to prove that I'm one of today's fastest Dutch drivers. I would like to thank my sponsor and the team sponsor, Michel Perridon, of Trust International – for this unique opportunity and the confidence they have place in me.

“Last year the team finished in the top 3 of the GP2 Asia Series, so I know what I need to do. I'm ready to go!"