Alexander Sims will make a return to the FIA European Formula 3 Championship when the series goes to Portugal with Hitech Grand Prix, who are using the event as a one-off prelude to a full campaign in 2016.

Sims last raced a Formula 3 car back at the Macau Grand Prix in 2013, and has been a part of the BMW GT driver line-up for the past two seasons, but will line-up on the grid for the races at the Algarve circuit.

Hitech Grand Prix are a new team to the series, and are led by David Hayle, who formed Hitech Racing back in 2003 and competed in the British Formula 3 championship until Hayle sold the team in 2007, with the team having run a recent test programme with Sims at Pembrey, Misano, Valencia and the Hungaroring.

Sims will be ineligible for points in Portugal due to not being registered for the 2015 championship, but Hitech GP are using the event as a test ahead of a planned two-car assault on the European Formula 3 championship in 2016.

Along with Marco Attard, Sims currently leads the British GT championship having won the recent round of the championship at Brands Hatch.