Carlin has signed Indian racer Ameya Vaidyanathan for a full-time assault in the 2018 FIA Formula 3 European Championship. Vaidyanathan will drive alongside compatriot and Force India Academy racer Jehan Daruvala as well as Devlin DeFrancesco, Sacha Fenestraz, Ferdinand Habsburg and Nikita Troitsky.

“It’s great to be moving up to FIA Formula Three in what is now my third year with Carlin,” said Vaidyanathan. “Staying in the team was a no-brainer because I can see everyone’s commitment towards achieving the highest standards. I’ve really learnt so much during my time at Carlin, thus far and I’m keen to put everything to good use to find my feet in such a competitive field.”

Vaidyanathan raced with Carlin for much of his career competing with the squad in the 2016 BRDC British F3 Championship and last year’s Euroformula Open series – where he took a standout win at Spa-Francorchamps. The 21-year-old also made his European Formula 3 debut at Spa, last season, further competing in the Zandvoort and Nürburgring rounds.

“This will be our third season working with Ameya and we’re pleased to see how much he has grown and accomplished in that time,” said Trevor Carlin, racing director. “He took his maiden win at the Euroformula Open Championship at Spa and has been consistently improving his race craft. We are extremely pleased to be working together in such a competitive championship and look forward to seeing what he can achieve.”