German Formula 4 champion Joey Mawson has been handed an opportunity to gain more experienced in Formula 3 machinery with a call-up to the MRF Challenge.

The Australian is a surprise inclusion in the four-round championship which will open on the undercard to the season-ending World Endurance Championship at Bahrain this weekend.

Competing aboard a Dallara Formula 3 chassis powered by a 2.0-litre Mountune 250bhp Duratec engine, the MRF Challenge will provide Mawson with a solid grounding towards his plans of competing in the European Formula 3 Championship in 2017.

“To compete in the MRF Challenge is a great opportunity, one that really came out of nowhere but one that I’m also really excited about,” Mawson said.

“It’s a great way to get accustomed to a Formula 3 car while learning some new circuits.

“Over the past four years it has developed into a great ‘Summer’ Series for drivers who are in a similar position as me looking to make the progression into Formula 3.”

It will be Mawson’s first visit to the Middle East since he won the final round of the 2012 CIK-FIA World Under 18 Karting Championship.

Following the Bahrain opener, the MRF Challenge moves to Dubai from December 8-10 ahead of New Dehli (January 27-29) with the finale at Chennai from February 17-19.