From GMM

Organisers of GP2, including Bernie Ecclestone, have announced the creation of GP3, a feeder category for the F1 support class.

A brief statement said the championship will be launched in 2010 as a "stepping stone into GP2", and held on the same formula one weekends.

The announcement comes hot on the heels of the launch of the new FIA-backed Formula 2 category, which will be run in direct competition with GP2 and GP3.

The GP3 statement said the single seater will have a 2 litre, 250hp engine.

"After the tremendous success of the GP2 Series, I believe this GP3 Series will be an opportunity for drivers, engineers and mechanics who are making their way to formula one," said F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone.