Alice Powell will return to GP3 weekend for the season finale in Abu Dhabi
20-year-old will take the place of Melville McKee at Bamboo Engineering
By William Esler
Last Updated: 31/10/13 2:19pm
The 20-year-old competed in the series in 2012 with Status GP and remains the only female to score a point in the championship. However, budget constraints this year meant she raced in the F3 Cup, in which she finished as runner-up.
A late deal was struck earlier this week for Powell to take the spot of Meville McKee at the Yas Marina Circuit, which has given her little time to prepare.
"It really was a last-minute deal - it all came together late on Monday afternoon," Powell told Sky Sports Online.
"With Melville McKee not able to race this weekend the opportunity was there, but it does mean that I have had no preparation time. I've been watching old F1 videos to try and learn the circuit."
Whilst Powell may have raced in GP3 before, she has no experience of the current car introduced at the start of this season. The GP3/13 is fundamentally different to drive, not least because it is now powered by a naturally aspirated engine rather than a turbo unit used in 2012.
"The car is totally different to what I drove in 2012 and all the other drivers will have had a season in the car. If I can get into the top 15 this weekend I will happy," added Powell.
"Mainly I am just really excited to be back in GP3."
