GP3 champ graduates to GP2 in 2011

GP3 champion Esteban Gutierrez will graduate to GP2 with the Lotus ART team next year.

The 19-year-old Mexican dominated the inaugural GP3 series with ART this season, and team boss Frederic Vasseur said keeping him on board was an easy decision.

"After our title in the GP3 Series, this is the logical next step to make with Esteban and I'm delighted our collaboration will bring him to the best F1 feeder series, the GP2 championship," said Vasseur. "Esteban is an extremely talented driver and despite his young age, is also very mature. He is an easy-going person and everyone at the Lotus ART team enjoys working with him and we look forward to racing with him again next season."