Vergne Signs Carlin Deal for FR3.5

Jean-Eric Vergne will continue his graduation towards a future Formula One seat by securing a programme with Carlin Motorsports in the Formula Renault 3.5. The reigning British F3 champion did his job well with the team last season, when he scored 13 wins for his first ever British F3 title, and will try to build on that performance in the FR3.5, a constant feeder series for F1.

“I am very happy to be with Carlin again in 2011. We have worked very well together in British F3 this year and I hope to continue that in World Series,” said France's best chance of a Formula One driver when announcing the deal.

Carlin has a great history in turning talented racers into FR3.5 champions and further assisting them into making a decisive step into F1. Sebastian Vettel and Jaime Alguersuari are the most notable drivers who have done FR3.5 programmes before making their transition to the Great Circus, while the 2010 FR3.5 champion Mikhail Aleshin (also with Carlin) was close to signing a deal with Marussia Racing for 2011.

“I think we have some hard work ahead of us; World Series is a very competitive series, but the team did a good job to win the championship this year and I believe we will have a good package to challenge for the title again in 2011,” added the Frenchman, who has done some outings with World Series previously, with Tech 1 team.

“It has been a pleasure to work with Jean-Eric in British F3 and I'm delighted that he will be joining us in World Series next year. He is without doubt one of the most talented drivers we have seen at Carlin. We are very proud that Red Bull have chosen Carlin as the team to continue Jean-Eric's career and look forward to another very successful season together in 2011,” added team boss Trevor Carlin.