Honda-backed Nobuharu Matsushita will return to Formula 2 next season after signing a deal to compete for Carlin.
Matsushita raced in GP2/F2 with ART Grand Prix from 2015-17, taking four Sprint Race wins and a best of sixth place in the standings.
He also tested for Sauber at the Hungaroring in 2017.
The 25-year-old raced in the Japan-based Super Formula championship this year and classified 11th overall.
“I am delighted to announce that I'll be racing with Carlin in the FIA F2 championship next year,” he said.
“I am super excited to be racing once again in this championship. I would like to thank Honda, Carlin and all the people who have made this possible.”
Matsushita’s Carlin team will enter 2019 as the reigning Formula 2 champions after McLaren-bound Lando Norris and Sergio Sette Camara delivered the Teams’ title.
