Max Chilton joins Carlin's new IndyCar team

Former Formula 1 driver Max Chilton will return to the Verizon IndyCar Series for a third season in 2018.

Following two years with Chip Ganassi Racing, he's signed up with Carlin's brand new IndyCar operation. His team mate will be another former Ganassi driver, Charlie Kimball.

"[It's] the result of a long-term ambition of the team," said Trevor Carlin on Tuesday. "By no means do we underestimate the challenge and competition that lies ahead. But I have great faith in the young and passionate team."

Former Marussia F1 driver Chilton has made 33 starts in IndyCar in the last two years, achieving eight top ten finishes. He finished in fourth place in this year's Indianapolis 500. Chilton previously raced for Carlin in GP2 and Formula 2 before moving to Formula 1 in 2013.

"Today’s announcement brings so much joy to everyone involved in making this a reality," said the 33-year-old from Reigate.

"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," he continued.

"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.

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"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."

Kimball also has a long history with Carlin, going back to British F3 and the World Series by Renault.

"They were a big part of launching my career when I raced in Europe," he explained. "We had a lot of success together back in 2005 in the British Formula Three Championship.

"It seems like everything fell into place at the right time to have this opportunity to work with Trevor and the whole Carlin team again.

"I’ve already got two years of experience working with Max as a teammate. I think our strengths and weaknesses will really complement each other as we begin this new adventure."

Carlin will be powered by the Chevrolet twin turbocharged direct injected V6 engine.

Chilton's entry is sponsored by international insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm Gallagher. Kimball continues to receive backing from global healthcare company Novo Nordisk.

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.