Formula Two Championship driver Alex Brundle has been selected by Carlin to compete for them in the 2012 GP3 Series.
Alex Brundle will race for Carlin in the GP3 Series in 2012, the team announced on Thursday during the unveiling of their new factory facility.
“I am thrilled to be competing in the GP3 Series in 2012," said the Norfolk-born 21-year-old.
"We're delighted to welcome Alex to our team for the 2012 season," said the team's racing director Trevor Carlin. "GP3 is an extremely competitive series and a level playing field where driver talent can really make a difference."
Brundle - the son of former F1 driver and now Sky Sports F1 commentator Martin Brundle - has previously participated in two seasons of
FIA Formula Two Championship with MotorSport Vision and a year in the British Formula Three championship in 2010 with T-Sport. He had earlier raced in Formula Palmer Audi in 2007 and 2008.
"Having seen Alex race early on in his career in British F3, I'm sure that he will be a great asset to Carlin," added Trevor Carlin. "Even at this early stage the team have been impressed with his maturity and work ethic and I'm sure we'll see some great racing from him this season."
Brundle was keen to point out that not only did the Europe-based GP3 Series fit in well with his other racing commitments, it would also serve his long term goals of following in his father's footsteps.
"I was keen to move onto the F1 stage this year and I would like to thank the Carlin team for offering me a fantastic opportunity to do that," he said. "The GP3 Series also fits well with my commitments to Nissan in the European Le Mans Series allowing me to continue my development in single seater racing."
Brundle was clearly looking forward to his new role with Carlin.
“The work we have done so far has already given me an understanding of why the Carlin team are so successful," he said. "I feel very confident for the season ahead."
Brundle is the first driver confirmed to Carlin's 2012 GP3 line-up.
Manor signs Dmitry SuranovichMarussia Manor Racing have confirmed the signing of 16-year-old Russian driver Dmitry Suranovich for this year's GP3 Series.
"I'm really happy to have secured a drive for Marussia Manor Racing, a winning team which is strongly linked to F1," said Suranovich. "It's going to be an exciting season and I can't wait to get started. It's going to be a challenge, but I am ready for it."
It will be Suranovich's first year in GP3, following successful testing with the team in Valencia and
Jerez at the end of last year. In 2011, the Minsk teenager competed in four events in Formula Abarth European Series and spent the winter participating in New Zealand's Toyota Racing Series.
The team is set to complete the rest of its driver line-up in the next few weeks.
