Red Bull junior joins Carlin for Euro F3

Karting sensation Callum Ilott will join Carlin for the upcoming FIA Formula 3 European Championship which will mark his debut in car racing.

The 16-year-old Brit is also part of the Red Bull Junior team, who has close links with Carlin as the British outfit run the team's drivers in British F3, Euro F3, Formula Renault 3.5 and GP3. Current F1 stars Daniil Kvyat, Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel have all passed through Carlin's ranks over the past ten years.

Ilott joins Carlin as the reigning KF European champion and says he never imagined he would get this sort of opportunity.

"Being in the Red Bull Junior Team is a privilege, you just have to look at the history of the drivers that have gone before," Ilott said. "Last season was very good for me so I was hoping for a good start in cars but I didn't imagine that I would get this opportunity.

"The step up to F3 is quite something, I have a lot to learn but I have already had a very good start with a few F3 tests with Carlin and a couple of tests in a Renault 2.0. I want to make a good impression this year; show my speed early and keep improving."

Team boss Trevor Carlin added: "We're very excited to have such a young talent join the team. Whilst Callum will be on a steep learning curve we fully expect him to show a rapid rate of development as the season progresses."