Kanamaru, 22, has raced in junior single-seaters since 2012. He spent two years in Formula Renault 2.0 and then another two in Euroformula Open, finishing third in the latter in 2015.

He also made his Formula Renault 3.5 debut that year, tackling six races with Pons.

He entered the series full-time in 2016 with Teo Martin, finishing eighth with a best finish of fourth.

Kanamaru will join RP Motorsport for 2017, joining fellow Euroformula Open graduate Damiano Fioravanti within the team.

"For me it is an honour to join RP Motorsport in the World Series Formula V8 3.5," Kanamaru said.

"I am very excited to drive the car and I want to give 100% for my new team.

"Together we can achieve very ambitious goals: we are already focused on the job ahead in the coming test at Motorland Aragon.

"Take part in such a prestigious championship, thanks to the partnership between the World Series Formula V8 3.5 and the FIA WEC, represents a further incentive to do well!"

RP, a long-time Euroformula Open team, joined Formula V8 3.5 in 2015.

Its only full-time driver Vitor Baptista ended up 12th, with the second car shared among several drivers including GP2 veteran Johnny Cecotto, who claimed the team's first and so far only win in the series at the Hungaroring.

2017 Formula V8 3.5 driver line-up so far: