Felipe Nasr Joins Carlin For 2013 GP2 Season

Brazilian GP2 driver Felipe Nasr has joined Carlin for the 2013 season, a team which the 20-year-old won the British F3 Championship with in 2011. During his debut season in the series, Nasr stormed to four podium finishes with DAMS alongside eventual Championship winner Davide Valsecchi.

Once the season had come to a conclusion, Felipe Nasr switched to Carlin for the final post-season tests at both Barcelona and Jerez. The Brazilian driver was immediately on the pace throughout these tests, which saw him finish 2nd fastest on both days during the Jerez test. This competitiveness shown from Nasr, coupled with his exceedingly successful debut season with DAMS, could potentially see him challenge for Championship supremacy next season with he British outfit.

“I’m so happy to be coming back to Carlin.” Enthused Felipe Nasr, “Not only is it the team that I won the British F3 championship with, but it’s also a team that I feel very comfortable with. Testing so far has gone very well. The Barcelona test was about getting used to the team and the Carlin car, and we were able to build on that this week in Jerez and show some real speed. I can’t wait for the 2013 season to get underway, for sure we’re going to have a really strong package.”

Towards the end of the 2012 season, the Marussia-backed Carlin outfit picked up several victories at the hands of Max Chilton, who later went on to become the Marussia F1 team reserve driver. Team owner Trevor Carlin aims to start the 2013 season from where his team left off in 2012, and firmly believes that Felipe Nasr will be a title contender in 2013.

“We have had the pleasure of working with Felipe before and we know what he is capable of when he’s happy in the car.” Explained Trevor Carlin, “He is an incredibly talented driver and to finish on the podium in his first weekend in the series shows his outright speed and potential; in his second season I believe he will be a real contender for the title. We have had two very productive seasons in GP2, which thanks in particular to Max who has been with us from the start, have seen us develop and improve as a team.  We’re aiming to start 2013 where we left off in 2012.”

It is as of yet unknown who Felipe Nasr’s team-mate will be at Carlin next season, with the Brazilian driver currently only one of three drivers confirmed on the 2013 grid alongside Stefano Coletti and Daniël de Jong. The Brazilian driver greatly impressed many throughout the paddock during his debut season with DAMS, and will most certainly continue to do throughout 2013 as he aims to clinch his maiden victory in the series with Carlin.

Picture Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP2 Series Media Service