Gilbert to make GP3 debut

Formula 3 European Championship racer Mitch Gilbert will make his GP3 Series debut this weekend at Silverstone. The 20-year-old Australian will line up with Italian team Trident in the car previously driven by Denis Nagulin.

While Gilbert knows Silverstone from F3 and Formula Renault, he has never driven a GP3 car, but views the outing as preparation for a planned campaign in the series in 2015.

"It's a pretty natural step from F3," he said. "With the TV time and the way the championship is run, it's a lot easier to sell to sponsors. It's where we were going anyway for next year, so it's good preparation."

Gilbert hopes to continue with the GP3 season if the Silverstone weekend goes as expected, but his continued participation in F3 with Fortec Motorsport hangs in the balance. The team is skipping next week's Moscow Raceway round anyway, and Gilbert believes that the team's Mercedes engines are not competitive.

"I'm not sure about F3," he said. "If they're willing to change what's in the back of the car, we might give it a go, although whatever happens I am planning to do the Macau Grand Prix."

Meanwhile, rival team Hilmer announced German Sebastian Balthasar will be driving its third car during the Silverstone round. The 17-year-old won German Formula 3's Trophy class during 2013 and has raced in the FA1 series so far this year. The team said Balthasar may compete in more races if the Silverstone weekend is successful.