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NEWS: Newgarden confirmed for Carlin GP3 seat
DRIVER NEWS
12/4/2010: Reigning Formula Ford vice-champion Josef Newgarden
has been signed by Carlin for the inaugural GP3 season. The
American will partner McLaren Autosport BRDC Award winner Dean
Smith in the British team.
Nineteen-year-old
Newgarden is fast becoming a driver to watch for the future,
having won 10 races in Formula Ford UK last year, as well as
taking four pole positions and an impressive 16 podiums. Newgarden
also competed in three Formula Palmer Audi races in 2009, winning
two.
Carlin are the
current British F3 champions and one of only ten teams granted an
entry into the first season of GP3, which will support the
European F1 events. At the first ever GP3 test at Paul Ricard last
month, Carlin cars finished third and fourth quickest.
Newgarden joined
Carlin for the second official test at Paul Ricard and was
immediately on the pace. The young American set the sixth fastest
time during the mini qualifying session which was designed to
determine the race numbers that the teams will carry on their cars
for the 2010 season.
Newgarden said:
"I'm very excited about the season ahead. It's great to be
involved in the first season of GP3, especially with Carlin which
has such an incredible history of results. I have a good
opportunity this year and I want to make the most of it and do the
best job possible for myself and the team.
"GP3 is a
fantastic championship; following in the footsteps of GP2 - it's
very well organised and supporting the European F1 races means
it's highly visible as well. If you're going to do a good job
there's no better arena to do it in. I can't wait to get to
Barcelona for the first race."
Carlin Racing
Director Trevor Carlin added: "We watched Josef's progress
last year and he's already attracted a lot of interest in the
industry. I'm delighted that he's chosen Carlin as the team with
which to further his career and I believe that GP3 is a great
environment for him to hone his skills. GP3 is a big step up for
Josef, but he's already proven his ability to adapt to the GP3 car
and I'm confident he will be challenging for podiums this
season."
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