Team West-Tec has strengthened its Spanish F3 Championship line-up with the signing of Portuguese driver Francisco Villar, and appears poised to reveal Briton Jonathan Legris as the next part of an expected four-car attack.
Villar raced successfully in Spain's Master Formula Junior Championship in 2007, scoring four wins before moving up and tasting F3 in a handful of late-season races in the national series. His deal with West-Tec will see him at the wheel of one of the team's Copa de Espana Class B Dallaras, as John Miller's squad attempts to repeat the title success it achieved on debut with Christian Ebbesvik in 2007.
"Francisco was very impressive in the Formula Master Junior last year, and that series has an excellent history of producing very good drivers," Miller said of his latest acquisition, "Last year, we ran the quickest Class B cars, and I am sure that Francisco will be able to live up to that star billing in 2008."
Co-principal Gavin Wills confirmed that the Portuguese driver had come highly recommended and had so far lived up to his promise in testing, while Villar admitted that he was excited to have sealed a deal with the reigning class champions.
"We have been talking to Team West-Tec since last summer, and I am really pleased to have finally signed to join such a professional team," he said, "They were very impressive last year in Spanish F3, and I am looking forward to developing my career with them."
This year's Spanish Championship is set to visit a range of new circuits, including Spa-Francorchamps and the all-new harbour-side layout being devised for this year's European Grand Prix in Valencia, and West-Tec is planning to run at least two cars in each of the series' classes.
Popular after its title success with Ebbesvik last season, the British team has had no shortage of interest over the winter, but it appears that F
BMW UK graduate Legris could be the driver to complete the line-up.
Both team and driver have hinted that an announcement is imminent.
