Carlin are pleased to announce that Ed Jones will remain with the Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires team for the upcoming 2016 season. Following an outstanding debut in the 2015 series the British racer won the three opening races of the season and was in contention for the title until the very last round. Jones will be looking to go one step further with the knowledge he has gained during his first season racing in America.
Moving with Carlin across the pond to compete in the Indy Lights championship following a strong campaign with the team in Europe, Jones enjoyed a stunning debut with the team to win the opening three races of the season in dominant style; Jones then went on to claim a further four podiums.
Jones, an Indy Lights rookie, was a regular front runner throughout the course of the season and placed himself perfectly throughout to ensure that he was in contention for the Drivers’ title at the end of the season. Jones finished the year as the third highest placed driver and will be looking forward to a 2016 season as a clear championship contender with more experience of the American circuits.
Jones said of the upcoming season, “Continuity isn’t something which you get to enjoy too often in junior motor racing but when you can achieve it, for sure it is a help. Both the team and I know each other very well. I have built a good understanding with the engineers and I feel we work well together. We all have a season under our belt now and we have all raised the bar and will be pushing very hard for more success in 2016.
“The goal for 2016 is to win the Indy Lights championship. I learnt a huge amount in 2015 and feel that I have a great base to go for the championship in 2016. I have a great relationship with my team Carlin and I believe in them completely. Carlin as a team have achieved a great deal but they haven’t won a championship in US motor racing and I want to be the driver who delivers that.”
Racing director Trevor Carlin added, “We’re delighted that Ed remains with the team for the 2016 season. He showed great faith in moving over from Europe with us for our first season in Indy Lights and demonstrated to everyone how competitive he was in winning the first three races of the season. In his rookie season in the US and having never visited most of the tracks before, Ed did a spectacular job to still be in contention for the title at the season finale. With a season of Indy Lights behind us there are undoubtedly things that team and driver have learnt together and we aim to put these lessons to good use in 2016 with the title clearly being the aim.”