LIGHTS: Carlin brings in British F3 champ Leist

Defending Indy Lights series champions Carlin Racing has expanded its roster by signing 2016 British F3 champion Matheus Leist to compete on the top step of the Mazda Road To Indy.

The 18-year-old Brazilian will continue his open-wheel training in America after working up through the European ladder, and joins American Garth Rickards as the second driver to commit to Carlin's Florida-based team.

"I'm very excited to be joining Carlin in Indy Lights" Leist said. "I had quite a few options open to me in 2017, but a combination of things, including the opportunities in the US and on the Mazda Road to Indy ladder, made Indy Lights a great option for me. I have raced against Carlin before so I know how hard they push as a team to win. I'm incredibly excited to get out on track in the car and get the season underway."

Carlin Racing's Ed Jones moved from European F3 to Indy Lights in 2015, won the Lights title in 2016, and has used the $1 million graduation prize to help land a full-season IndyCar ride with Dale Coyne Racing. In terms of a blueprint established for Leist, team owner Trevor Carlin knows his newest driver will have an opportunity to follow in Jones' footsteps.

"We have raced against Matheus for the last two seasons now, and have witnessed first-hand his race craft and raw speed," Carlin said. "Now we have chance to work together, it will be great to have those talents within the team rather than trying to beat them! Indy Lights will certainly be a new environment for Matheus and a steep learning curve, but he has the ability and more importantly, the calm and determined nature to overcome these challenges. I'm very excited to see what we can achieve together in 2017."