Highlander Lewis Williamson returns to racing this weekend when he drives the Status GP car in the GP3 Series at Hockenheim. The series is part of the Formula One support programme.

The 22-year-old from Golspie was controversially dropped by Red Bull from its junior programme last month.

A race winner in GP3 in 2011, the Scot had moved to the Formula Renault 3.5 championship for the 2012 season.

Now Williamson, a past winner of the McLaren Autosport Young Driver of the Year Award, is eager to get back behind the wheel.

"I've known some of the guys at Status GP for a couple of years, and this is a great opportunity," Williamson, backed by the Highland Arena private consortium, explained.

"I know I've got to put everything I've got into it at Hockenheim this weekend and make sure we do everything right.

"We just need to progress through free practice, qualifying and then the two races and see what comes of it."

Williamson will join Status GP drivers, Filipino-Swiss Marlon Stockinger, and fellow Brit Alice Powell for the weekend's double-header in Germany.

"It's nice to race with Marlon and Alice," Williamson continued. " I know both of them from our days in Formula Renault UK, so I'm sure we will get along well and work strongly together."

On GP3s last visit to Hockenheim, in 2010, Status GPs Robert Wickens scored a race win in the feature race and also claimed the fastest lap.

Lewis is the ideal replacement to step into our driver line-up this weekend," Status GP team manager Paul Bellringer said.

"He already knows the GP3 car from last season, and is very talented. Status GP has long admired his ability and were looking forward to working with him in Germany.

Free practice at Hockenheim takes place on Friday at 17h50, with qualifying on Saturday at 09h45, race one on Saturday at 17h20 and race two on Sunday at 09h25.