Carlin is pleased to confirm that American-Spanish racer Brad Benavides will join its FIA Formula Three line-up for the upcoming 2022 season. Benavides already has race experience with the team following three rounds in last season’s Euroformula Open Championship and also tested with Carlin in official FIA F3 post-season testing in Valencia last November.
Benavides re-joined the European racing scene in 2021 an competed in the Formula Regional European Championship, gaining a huge amount of experience around multiple tracks including Zandvoort and Imola which will feature in the 2022 FIAF3 calendar.
Towards the tail end of the year, Benavides turned his hand to Euroformula Open machinery as he joined Carlin for the final three rounds of the season. The 20-year-old used every moment to gain insight into the circuits, and the car, while racing alongside drivers who had been competing in the championship all-season long. Gaining solid points he finished 13th overall, despite taking part in only three events, Benavides used the experience in a more powerful car to prepare for FIA F3 post-season testing in Valencia.
Benavides becomes the second driver to be announced in Carlin’s 2022 FIA Formula Three line-up following the confirmation of British racer Zak O’Sullivan earlier this month. The FIA Formula Three Championship will kick off with racing in Bahrain next month, before taking in legendary circuits such as Silverstone, Spa and Monza over the course of the nine-round season.
Benavides said, “I’ve been a die-hard fan of racing my whole life and I have, in my hands now, the greatest opportunity I’ve ever had. I feel like, at the same time, my greatest achievements are closer than ever. I am going to give my maximum effort this season and make it one to be proud of.”
Racing director Trevor Carlin added, “Brad is still a very young driver at the start of his career. Making the step up to FIA F3 in only his second season in Europe will be a big learning curve but Brad has a fantastic attitude both in and out of the car. We’re delighted he has chosen to stay with the team for this next step in his career and we can’t wait to get started with testing later next month in Bahrain.”
Benavides will be out in his Carlin FIA F3 car later early next month as pre-season testing gets underway in Bahrain, ahead of the season opener, also at the Bahrain International Circuit.
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