UK-based motorsport team Carlin has announced its participation in the 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series, becoming the first British team to do so in Indy’s current format.
The team’s first season in Indycar will see Max Chilton paired with Charlie Kimbal, who have both raced for the championship winning team previously, including in Carlin’s current Indy Lights program (pictured). The Carlin entries will be powered by the Chevrolet twin turbocharged direct injected V6 engine.
“We’re delighted to finally be able to announce our entry into the Verizon IndyCar Series, the result of a long-term ambition of the team,” enthused Trevor Carlin, team principal. “To be joined on that journey in our debut season by brands such as Gallagher and Novo Nordisk, and with drivers we already have a race-winning history with in Max and Charlie, is beyond what we could have expected. By no means do we underestimate the challenge and competition that lies ahead, but I have great faith in the young and passionate team that our team manager Colin [Hale] and I have put together.”
“We are proud to partner with Carlin in the Verizon IndyCar Series for 2018 and look forward to the thrilling prospect of driver Max Chilton winning with our Gallagher brand prominently featured on his Chevrolet. Millions of fans around the world enjoy this sport, as do our clients and employees. It is our intent to leverage this sponsorship to showcase Gallagher’s extensive brokerage services and risk management expertise and to celebrate the values of innovation and collaboration our brokers and sales consultants deploy in creating solutions for their clients around the globe,” said Christopher E Mead, chief marketing officer for Gallagher.
Kimball, who will be returning for his eighth season in the Verizon IndyCar Series, will team with Chilton in Carlin’s two-car effort. Joining him for their 10th year of partnership will be long-time sponsor Novo Nordisk, who joined Kimball’s career in Indy Lights in 2009 and has been with the American driver throughout his IndyCar career. The duo have recorded 117 starts, one win, one pole, 13 top-five finishes, and 162 laps led in the Verizon IndyCar Series.
Chilton’s partnership with Carlin renews a successful relationship that goes back throughout the British racer’s career. Chilton won races with Carlin in Formula 3 and Formula 2 (formerly GP2 Series) before racing in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship from 2013-2014. In 2015, Chilton explored racing in the USA for the first time with a season of Indy Lights with Carlin, along with a run with a manufacturer LMP1 program at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“Today’s announcement brings so much joy to everyone involved in making this a reality. Carlin being the first British team to enter the Verizon IndyCar Series in the modern era is a result of a lot of hard work and ambition following the team’s move into American racing a few years ago,” Chilton said, speaking about the Carlin announcement. “I am super-excited for 2018 as Carlin is like family to me. Having raced with them on and off since 2009, and having had my most competitive years with the team, I know we can work toward great things in IndyCar. The Verizon IndyCar Series is exceptionally competitive, but the introduction of the new aero package will help level the playing field slightly. I know that finding the maximum in a spec series like this is where Carlin really excels. I want to say a massive thank you to Gallagher for continuing their support of me in IndyCar. To have the opportunity to represent the more than 26,000 employees of Gallagher and a brand that focuses so heavily on teamwork and innovation has even greater relevance this year. I’m very thankful to be part of this package for 2018.”
