After a stunning debut season in GT racing where he secured third place in the Avon Tyres British GT Championship in his debut year in the series, the 20-year old Essex-based professional racing driver has announced he will drive in FIA GT3 as an official driver of the 2011 Championship winning team - AF Corse.

Lyons will race alongside Stefano Gai in the Ferrari 458 GT3 car in the European championship and compete in all six rounds of the Championship.

Team Principal Amato Ferrari says,

“We want to re-confirm our position at the top of FIA GT3. It will not be easy but we have drivers who can make the difference no matter when. We have the young Michael Lyons and Stefano Gai. The Italian is the Champion of the Ferrari Challenge in the last three years and is now stepping up to FIA GT3 and Michael finished 3rd in the British GT Championship having won two superb races at Oulton Park and Donington Park.

Of the announcement Michael said;

“To be part of such a professional and successful team as AF Corse [who won the Championship in 2011] is a dream come true. Last year was a great chance for me to show my talents in a GT car on a very strong grid in British GT. This year I want more of the same. I’ve already shown at Zandvoort in last years FIA GT3 race that I am capable of racing at this level and finishing on the podium. I’m very excited to get back behind the wheel for the season to start!”

The FIA GT3 Championship will share its calendar with the FIA GT1 World Championship where AF Corse will also compete. The first round of the FIA GT3 Championship will be at Nogaro (France) on April 8th 2012.