Rising star Diego Menchaca will join the BRDC Formula 4 Championship for 2013 after signing to race for Mark Godwin Racing (MGR) this year, becoming the series second overseas driver.

The 18-year-old Mexican began karting in 2007 in his national Rotax Junior Championship and quickly became a regular podium finisher before securing his first title the following year in Mexico's National Karting Championship - a series he would go on to win for three consecutive years.

In 2010 he contested selected races of the Latin-American Challenge F2000 Class before finishing third overall in the same category a year later, as well as being crowned top rookie. Last season he experienced his first taste of racing on UK soil in the Formula Renault BARC series, securing 11th overall with six top 10 finishes. He is also a member of the prestigious Escuderia Telmex young driver programme which features FIA Formula One World Championship stars Sergio Perez and Esteban Gutierrez.

I am very happy to be racing in the new BRDC Formula 4 Championship, together with Escuderia Telmex we think it is the correct step in my career, said Menchaca. Mark and the team have really impressed me and I am confident they are going to provide me with a good car. British single seater racing is very competitive and there are a lot of very talented drivers but Im very much looking forward to the challenge ahead and doing the best I can.

MGR Team Principal Mark Godwin added: Were very pleased to welcome Diego to our line-up alongside British driver Jake Dalton. I watched him compete last year and was very impressed with his pace and I know hes going to do a great job for us. Its also very encouraging to see that the appeal of F4 has stretched overseas and that well have an international field for the inaugural season.