GP3: Gilbert gets Carlin chance

Formula 3 European Championship graduate Mitch Gilbert has joined Carlin for his first full season in the GP3 Series.

The UK-based, Malaysian-born Australian was a race winner in the German F3 Cup with Performance Racing in 2012 and showed flashes of speed in European F3 with Mucke Motorsport and Fortec Motorsport, but with disappointing results. He switched to GP3 for some late-season races in 2014 with Trident, and now joins Ferrari Driver Academy protege Antonio Fuoco at Carlin.

"The last two years haven't been the best for me," said 20-year-old Gilbert. "I always felt it was right place wrong time, wrong place right time, and for some reason things just didn't line up right. Now I feel like everything is coming together to show everyone what the last two years couldn't.

"I feel this is my chance to start afresh – there's seriously unfinished business."

Team boss Trevor Carlin added: "Mitch was very impressive in the GP3 tests in Abu Dhabi at the end of last season and it's clear that for whatever reason he hasn't achieved his potential over the last couple of years.

"Mitch has spent quite a lot of time in the factory over the last few weeks, preparing with the team and completing sessions on the sim, and it's clear that he's fitting in well and is extremely determined and focused."

GP3 SERIES LINEUP SO FAR

Carlin: Antonio Fuoco, Mitchell Gilbert + 1 tba
ART Grand Prix: Alfonso Celis Jr + 2 tba
Arden International: Aleksander Bosak + 2 tba
Campos Racing: Alex Palou, Zaid Ashkanani + 1 tba
Trident: Luca Ghiotto + 2 tba

Yet to announce any drivers: Status Grand Prix, Koiranen GP, Jenzer Motorsport + one further team tba

Originally on Autosport.com