F3: Buller to make return at Norisring

Single-seater veteran Will Buller is to make a surprise return to the Formula 3 European Championship at the Norisring this weekend. The 23-year-old Northern Irishman, who has raced in Super Formula since the beginning of last season, has a one-off drive with the Carlin team.

Buller will line up alongside the sister Carlin Dallara-Volkswagens of Alessio Lorandi and Ryan Tveter, with Peter Li expected to be sidelined for the rest of the season following his massive crash last time out at the Red Bull Ring.

While Buller – whose last F3 race was in the 2014 Macau Grand Prix – made his category debut as long ago as 2010, he does not infringe the FIA's regulation stipulating a maximum three seasons in the governing body's European championship. He was robbed of victory with Carlin at the Norisring in 2012, when he finished second to Daniel Juncadella and, under the old F3 Euro Series' sporting regulations, he was not promoted to the win when the Spaniard was excluded for his part in the accident that forced Raffaele Marciello out of the race.

Buller drove with Carlin as recently as March this year, in a GP2 Series test at Barcelona.

"The whole Carlin team have been really great in welcoming me back into the fold," said Buller. "Trevor [Carlin] and I feel as though there is definitely some unfinished business at Norisring after not getting awarded the win in 2012, so I hope this weekend we can bring back some good memories and get on the top step!"

Team boss Carlin added: "First of all we send our very best wishes to Peter for his continued recovery, and we're very glad to see him recovering at home after a very scary accident.

"Will is a friend of the team and, with a gap in his Super Formula commitments, we were delighted to offer him the opportunity to race with us this weekend. I'm sure Will, Alessio and Ryan will work well together."

TAN TIPPED FOR MORE RACES

Malaysian Weiron Tan is expected to return to Carlin in time for the next European F3 round after the Norisring, which takes place at Zandvoort next month. Tan, who made his series debut at the Red Bull Ring last month and set the Carlin team's fastest lap of the weekend in the final race, said: "I would love to do more, but we need to make some magic happen.

"Budget has always been a struggle, and I'm really grateful for a drive. I've just been trying to do my best, with absolutely no expectations. Progression is the key and I really feel I'm in rhythm with the car now."

Originally on Autosport.com