Sebastian Vettel has signed with Carlin Motorsport to compete in the 2007 World Series by Renault championship. Vettel, who last week raced with Carlin at the 53rd Macau Grand Prix, also won two World Series races for the team in the 2006 season.

The 19 year-old German competed with Carlin at the Misano and Spa rounds of the 2006 World Series Championship as part of the Red Bull junior driver programme. In his first outing in the World Series car, Vettel took pole position and two race wins from Misano while a hand injury put an end to his second event at Spa.

As well as winning two races in the World Series championship in 2006, Vettel also challenged for the F3 Euroseries title, losing out to eventual winner Paul di Resta at the final round in Hockenheim.

Commenting on his new team, Sebastian said, "I'm really looking forward to racing with Carlin in World Series next year. I drove for the team at the Misano round where we managed two race wins and again in Spa where we were challenging for the lead when a hand injury left me unable to race. Judging from those experiences, I'm sure we will be competitive. I'm very happy that I'll be racing next season in addition to my F1 programme."

Keen to increase his racing experience, Vettel will compete in the World Series by Renault championship with Carlin as well as taking up his duties as reserve and test driver for the BMW Sauber F1 Team.

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen said, "With this programme Sebastian will get more racing experience and extend his overall experience as well. This is an important factor in the career of such a young driver."

Carlin Motorsport Team Principal, Trevor Carlin commented "I'm delighted to be able to confirm that Sebastian will be driving for our World Series team in 2007. Sebastian drove for us at the Misano round of the World Series championship this year and his performance was flawless.

"He has demonstrated both in the F3 Euroseries and in his time testing in F1, that he has the talent and determination to succeed. I'm sure we can help to develop Sebastian as a driver and challenge for the championship next season."

Vettel will continue his winter testing programme this week with Carlin at the collective World Series test at the Vallelunga circuit in Italy.