Magnussen secures Carlin Formula Renault 3.5 seat

British F3 runner-up Kevin Magnussen will remain with the Carlin outfit for an assault on the Formula Renault 3.5 title next season.

The 19-year-old Dane finished second to team-mate Felipe Nasr in this year’s F3 campaign and will now step-up to the highly-rated 3.5 series. He follows in the footsteps of 2010 British F3 champ Jean-Eric Vergne, who switched to Carlin’s 3.5 effort and ended the campaign as championship runner-up to team-mate Robert Wickens.

Magnussen ran for the team in last week’s post-season test at Circuit de Catalunya. The son of ex-F1 racer Jan is currently trying out the team’s GP2 machine at the same circuit.

“It’s great to have the chance to drive for Carlin next year in Formula Renault 3.5, every step up the motorsport ladder is a real dream come true for me and I thank my sponsors for this chance,” said Magnussen.

“It’s a big opportunity and I intend on enjoying it and making the most of the upcoming year. I know the team really well and feel completely at home there. I can’t wait for the start of the season!”

“We are absolutely delighted to be able to announce Kevin as a Carlin FR3.5 driver for 2012,” added team boss Trevor Carlin. “He has been extremely impressive in British F3 this year, especially in the second half of the season and is a driver very much in demand.

“We’re very proud that he has chosen Carlin as the team with which to continue his career and based on his performance in official testing so far, believe he will have no problems at all adapting to the FR3.5 car.”

Carlin have secured back-to-back Formula Renault 3.5 drivers’ titles with Wickens repeating the achievements of 2010 champ Mikhail Aleshin. The team also secured this year’s teams’ crown with two rounds to spare.

Watch Formula Renault 3.5 highlights on Motors TV


James Weeks