British F3 news

Abay joins Carlin

Former Formula BMW racer Sam Abay will join Carlin Motorsport for the 2008 Lloyds TSB Insurance British F3 International Series. The 20 year-old Australian, who finished eighth in a competitive season of Formula BMW UK this year, has already completed a number of test days with the British squad.

Prior to racing in the UK, Abay competed in Formula BMW Asia, where he finished runner-up in the 2006 season following 15 impressive podiums and five race wins.

Abay will follow in the footsteps of fellow countryman Mark Webber when he lines up for his first F3 race in March. Webber is one of many F1 stars who learnt their race craft in BF3, drivers such as Rubens Barrichello, Jenson Button, David Coulthard and Takuma Sato - who won the championship with Carlin in 2001 - have all competed in British F3 before reaching the highest level of the sport.

Abay has already completed several days testing at Snetterton, Pembrey and Oulton Park and is judged to have made great progress by the team. His quick adaptation to the F3 car from the less powerful Formula BMW machine he raced in the 2007 season was particularly impressive.

Carlin, who are three times winners of the British F3 championship, have so far announced they will run British racer Oliver Turvey, New Zealander Brendon Hartley and Jaime Alguersuari alongside Abay next season.

Commenting on his signing to Carlin, Abay said, "I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the team and I believe that I can learn a lot from racing for them next year. I hope I can contribute to the enormous success that Carlin has already had ".

Team Principal Trevor Carlin added, "Sam makes a big leap from Formula BMW to F3, but his progress in testing so far has been very impressive. He has continued to listen to the advice of the engineer and take on board any suggestions. He also has a great understanding of the mechanics and set-up of the car and in that respect he's a very intelligent driver.

"It's fantastic that we have been able to announce four of our drivers so early on, this will give us a great opportunity to test throughout the winter and gel as a team, putting us in great shape for the 2008 season."

more news

• 29 Jun.
  • Hartley takes double and leads Carlin podium
  • Hartley wins at Thruxton
  • Photos: Sunday at Thruxton
• 28 Jun.
  • Hartley takes pole for Round 12
  • Photos: Saturday at Thruxton
  • Alguersuari on pole at Thruxton
• 08 Jun.
  • British F3 to continue with F3/GT package
  • Devaney takes the double
  • Photos: Sunday at Snetterton
  • Devaney scores first win for Mygale and Ultimate
• 07 Jun.
  • Hartley on pole for Round 10
  • Photos: Saturday at Snetterton
  • Devaney claims maiden pole for Ultimate
• 26 May
  • Hohenthal victorious at Rockingham
• 18 May
  • Perez takes the double at Monza
• 17 May
  • Perez storms to victory
  • Chilton takes round 6 pole
  • Photos: Saturday in Monza
  • Chinose takes round 5 pole
  • Qualifying confusion at Monza
• 16 May
  • Photos: Friday in Monza
  • Qualifying abandoned due to rain
  • Alguersuari fastest in free pracice
• 28 Apr.
  • Hartley wins round 4!
• 27 Apr.
  • Photos: Sunday at Croft
  • Perez takes victory at wet Croft
• 26 Apr.
  • Hartley takes pole for round four
  • Photos: Saturday at Croft
  • Ericsson grabs pole at Croft
• 21 Apr.
  • Hartley eyes test drive with Toro Rosso
• 14 Apr.
  • Jensen joins Nexa Racing
• 26 Mar.
  • Al Khalifa enjoys strong start of the season
• 24 Mar.
  • Alguersuari wins Race 2 at Oulton Park
  • Photos: Monday at Oulton Park
  • Turvey claims first victory of the season!
• 22 Mar.
  • Alguersuari takes the double
  • Photos: Saturday at Oulton Park
  • Alguersuari takes pole at Oulton Park
• 13 Mar.
  • Ericsson fastest in final official test
• 29 Feb.
  • Meyrick leads the way at Snetterton

Homepage