Carlin is entering the 2018 IndyCar Series with Chilton and Kimball

The world-known British racing team Carlin is expanding its North American activities, announcing a debut in the IndyCar Series in 2018. The team will run two cars for Max Chilton and Charlie Kimball.

Both drivers were driving for Chip Ganassi Racing in 2017. They are moving to Carlin together with their sponsors Gallagher (Chilton) and Novo Nordisk (Kimball). For Chilton, it would be his third full season in the IndyCar Series. Kimball had an IndyCar debut in 2011, spending seven seasons with CGR.

Max Chilton already raced with Carlin in the past, most recently in the 2015 Indy Lights season

Carlin launched its Indy Lights programme in 2015, running two cars for Ed Jones and Max Chilton. In 2016, Ed Jones was Indy Lights drivers’ champion and Carlin took the teams’ title. In 2017, Carlin was running four cars in the Indy Lights series, finishing third in the teams’ standings. Now, it’s time for a new challenge. The team will operate out of the same shop in Delray Beach, Florida, where is the base of its Indy Lights program.

“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. 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,” team principal Trevor Carlin said.

Charlie Kimball spent seven seasons with Chip Ganassi Racing

Max Chilton’s history with Carlin dates to 2009, when he raced in British Formula 3. He was later driving for the team in the 2011 GP2 Series and then in the 2015 Indy Lights season.

Kimball’s history with Carlin dates even farther back. He drove for Carlin’s British F3 team in 2005 and was part of its World Series by Renault program in 2007 when he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. That led to a relationship with global healthcare company Novo Nordisk, which will be Kimball’s sponsor for a tenth straight season.

Photo: indycar.com, carlin.co.uk,