Carlin’s GP3 racer Jann Mardenborough will make the step up to the GP2 Series this weekend, as he joins Julian Leal in the team’s GP2 squad around the Monza circuit in Italy. Mardenborough, who is already a race winner in GP3, will stand in for Sean Gelael who has clashing commitments this weekend.
Mardenborough’s season has so far been one of opposite fortunes; the British racer has shown himself a master of tyre management and claimed a podium finish in Barcelona, but has also been the victim of various contact on circuit which has put him out of contention in the title fight.
The Nissan driver, having only started his single seater career in 2013 as a winner of the 2011 Nissan PlayStation GT Academy will get his first taste of GP2 machinery this weekend in Monza. The 23 year-old’s GP3 seat will be left vacant, before Mardenborough re-joins the GP3 team for the next round in Sochi, Russia next month.
Speaking about his GP2 call up, Mardenborough said,
“Firstly I’m extremely excited to drive a GP2 car for the first time, it’s an opportunity that I couldn’t turn down. I want to move up to GP2 in the future so to have this experience now is very valuable. I want to be competitive but the challenges in GP2 are very different to GP3; with DRS and two tyres compounds, as well as longer races and pit stops, although I’m used to those from sports car racing. It’s going to be a big step up but I’m going to give it everything. Thanks to Carlin and Nissan for this opportunity.”
Trevor Carlin added,
“With Sean busy completing his full season in Formula Renault 3.5, we had the ideal opportunity to give a driver a taste of GP2 at one of the greatest circuits in Europe. Jann is a very talented and fast driver and has suffered some bad luck this season which means he hasn’t claimed the results he’s capable of. Although this will be a big learning curve for him, we’re pleased to give one of our GP3 drivers the opportunity to step up to the next level and will be focused on helping Jann get the most from the experience.”
Carlin Press Release
