Former F1 driver and reigning Formula E champion Nelson Piquet Jr will make a shock return to F3 at Pau, with a potential appearance at the Macau Grand Prix also on the cards.
Piquet has endured a difficult defence of his Formula E crown this year after signing up to compete alongside World Endurance Championship commitments, which includes a return to the Le Mans 24 Hours. The thirty-year-old will drop down the motorsport ladder to return to F3, meaning he will compete against younger brother Pedro this weekend at Pau for Carlin.
"I had a great time working with Carlin in the Indy Lights car in Toronto last year, and I'm happy to help the team again this weekend in Pau," Piquet said. "Any experience gained on street circuits is beneficial for my Formula E campaign and I relish the challenge of adapting to another category this season."
The Brazilian has already driven for Carlin, deputising for Max Chilton during last year's Indy Lights at Toronto last year, claiming pole. Pau will be his first F3 race since he won the British championship in 2004, when he drove for family team Piquet Sports.
Carlin boss Trevor Carlin has likened Piquet's desire to race in multiple series to the era of Jim Clark.
"Nelson is a real racer. He's unafraid of competition at any level and is reminiscent of the era of drivers like Jim Clark who would take part in races from various categories, just for the love of racing.
"Nelson really impressed the team last season when he jumped into an unfamiliar Indy Lights car and put the car on pole on a track he had never visited before. His championship-winning credentials in Formula E perfectly reflect his talent on street circuits.
"We believe he will be a great asset to the team and our young drivers this weekend and we look forward to working with him in Pau and hopefully again in Macau later this year."