Rodolfo Gonzalez has signed with Carlin Motorsport for the team's first season in the Formula 3 Euro Series.
The Venezuelan, who will join Richard Philippe in the two-car British squad, has already completed two official tests with Carlin, and he impressed the team to finish in the top ten at the first test of the season in Valencia.
The 21-year-old has lots of previous experience in F3 too, having raced in the British series, where he won the National Class championship in 2006.
"I think it's a difficult championship, but I'm confident," he noted. "I have the experience now to do a good job. I've learnt from mistakes I've made in the past and have a good idea of what is required of me.
"We've made good progress in testing; Valencia went very well, on the first day we were in the top ten. Unfortunately I was quite ill at the test in Estoril and didn't feel well in the car, but I'm confident we will be strong again at Hockenheim."
As for the Carlin team itself, Gonzalez is delighted to be joining an outfit with such a strong pedigree in F3 and reckons they should be very competitive.
"I really like the team and Trevor [Carlin – the boss]. I've never seen a team owner at this level bolt on tyres, change the wings and get so involved. That tells me that obviously this is a business, but it is a passion more than anything - and I like that," he continued.
"It means the team are passionate about winning. I appreciate the opportunity Trevor has given me and I will work very hard to get the results. I love this team already; I've been getting on very well with my engineer and mechanics in testing. I'm very excited about the first race."
Carlin meanwhile has predicted that Gonzalez will be a big help to them as they look for glory in the Euro Series, beginning later this month, with the first race of the season at Hockenheim.
