Carlin announces IndyCar debut with Max Chilton and Charlie Kimball

Carlin has announced it will enter IndyCar with a two-car operation for the 2018 season, fielding drivers Max Chilton and Charlie Kimball.

Chilton’s history with Carlin dates to 2009, when he raced in British Formula 3 and teamed-up with current Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo. Chilton won races there as well as in GP2 with Carlin before moving with the team for its Indy Lights program.

In his two Verizon IndyCar Series seasons with Ganassi, Chilton made 33 starts with a career-best finish of fourth in this year’s Indianapolis 500, when he led a race-high 50 laps.

"I feel like I’ve learned a lot now and I’m going to be bringing that over to Carlin, which haven’t done INDYCAR yet and have a lot to learn in that series," said Chilton.

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"The good thing which gives me a lot of excitement and joy is Carlin is a team which really excels in a one-make series, and I think it’s hard to disagree that INDYCAR next year is not going to be far from a one-make series. Everyone’s basically got the same machinery apart from the engines … and I think this is where Carlin excels, so I can’t wait."

Kimball’s history with Carlin dates back even further. The 32-year-old Californian 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 Novo Nordisk, which will be Kimball’s sponsor for a 10th straight season in 2018.

Kimball’s entire seven-season Verizon IndyCar Series career has been spent with Chip Ganassi Racing, including his 2013 victory at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

"What an exciting future for my racing career for this year,” Kimball added. "I have a lot of respect for Trevor as a team owner, as a successful team owner and just a great person to work in racing with.

"To now have Novo Nordisk as a partner with this new endeavor and a new team and to be team-mates with Max again, I’m really excited. I don’t underestimate how much work there is because there is a lot of work to do."

Team principal Trevor Carlin added: “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."