Wedmore racing driver Ryan Cullen will be test driving for Status Grand Prix.

STATUS Grand Prix is to test Formula Ford graduate Ryan Cullen as he prepares for a planned move into the GP3 Series next season.

The 21-year-old from Wedmore, who is sixth in the British Formula Ford Championship, will drive at the four days of official post-season GP3 tests with Status GP at Jerez in Spain on October 24/25 and Estoril in Portugal on November 6/7.

Cullen will drive one of the 2012-spec GP3 Series cars with Status GP as the teams in the series all await delivery of the exciting new 400bhp racer that will form the basis of the Formula 1-supporting category from 2013-2015. He has already had a simulator session with the team.

“GP3 is going to be a huge step up for me, but I believe this is the right category for me to move into,” said Cullen. “I like the fact that the 2013 series with the new car is looking to reduce the gap between GP3 and GP2, with everyone competing on the same weekends on the European circuits as support races to Formula 1.”

“My driver coach is Scott Malvern (2011 British Formula Ford Champion). He tested with Status GP last year and told me what a good team they are, with a strong view on the driver-team relationship. I like the way the team is set up.”

Status GP runs under the Irish flag, another factor that appeals to Cullen due to his heritage.

“It’s obviously a bonus as my dad is Irish,” he said, “but more important for me as a driver is how Status GP operates as a team. I’m really looking forward to the tests.”