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Ex-Formula 1 driver Rubens Barrichello will work with Brazilian protege Gaetano di Mauro in BRDC Formula 4 this season.

The former Ferrari driver will act as an advisor to di Mauro, a karting champion in his native Brazil, and could accompany him to several races in the British series.

Di Mauro, 17, contested a bit-part South American Formula 3 campaign in 2013 and is the first signing of the new Petroball Racing, which will make its BRDC F4 debut in 2014 with a two-car entry.

The Petroball team has invested heavily in the championship, setting up a base in Milton Keynes and purchasing a house in the same area that drivers will stay in.

Jake Hughes, the inaugural BRDC F4 champion, will work as a driver coach and test the second car until a team-mate for di Mauro is confirmed, while Andy Miller has been drafted in as a race engineer.

Team principal Jose Roberto Sabathe told AUTOSPORT that his squad had originally considered a British Formula Ford entry before deciding on BRDC F4.

"Britain is the top place to be in motorsport," he said. "I didn't want to go to Italy or Germany. If you want a career in motorsport you need to be in Britain.

"It took five minutes [for BRDC F4 bosses] to convince me. The costs, the car, the whole package - it's very, nice. I'm very excited."

Meanwhile, Telmex-backed Mexican karter Rodrigo Fonseca has joined Douglas Motorsport as part of their three-car BRDC F4 entry. Fonseca is on the same driver programme as Sauber F1 driver Esteban Gutierrez.