Giuliano Alesi, son of ex-F1 racer Jean, will step up to Formula 2 with Trident in 2019.
Ferrari-backed Alesi, 19, has raced for the Italian team in GP3 since 2016, taking four wins and a best of fifth in the standings.
Alesi sampled the F2/18 during post-season testing in Abu Dhabi last week and will now graduate to the series for 2019.
“It's an amazing opportunity,” said Alesi.
“First of all I want to thank Trident as it's going to be a pleasure to continue racing with them in F2.
“This is a new category, a new adventure, which I'm really looking forward to.
“This year hasn't quite gone as we all hoped, but I'm really looking forward to a successful season with Trident in 2019.
“We are going to work hard this winter, and try and come back as strong as possible for the season opener.
"It's going to be a new adventure with new car, new tyres, new schedule, so I'm really looking forward to it.
"The excitement and the enjoyment is much bigger than the pressure."
Alesi is Trident’s first signing for the 2019 Formula 2 season.
