Mitch Gilbert signs with Carlin for 2015 GP3 Series

Photo: Sam Bloxham/GP3 Series Media Service

Mitch Gilbert has secured a seat with Carlin in the GP3 Series this year.

After a year and a half in the FIA F3 European Championship, Gilbert joined the GP3 grid for the Silverstone round last year with Trident, although his debut weekend ended with a heavy crash at the start of qualifying.

He went on to contest the Hockenheim, Hungaroring, Monza and Sochi rounds with the team, scoring best race results of 14th but also qualifying a strong fifth on the grid in Germany.

In the post-season test in Abu Dhabi, he tested with both Arden and ART but has now settled on a deal with the 2014 champions Carlin.

Earlier in his career, the Malaysian-born Australian finished fifth in Formula Renault 2.0 UK in 2011 and then fourth in German F3 the following season.

?The last two years haven?t been the best for me,” said the 20-year-old, who joins the Ferrari Driver Academy’s Antonio Fuoco with a place in Carlin’s line-up for the coming season.

?I always felt like it was right place wrong time, wrong place, right time; for some reason things just didn?t line up right.

“Now I feel like everything is coming together to show everyone what the last two years couldn?t. I feel like this is my chance to start afresh. There?s seriously unfinished business and this is the right time for things to come together in a positive way.?

Trevor Carlin added: ?We?re very pleased to have Mitch joining us for GP3. He was very impressive in the GP3 tests in Abu Dhabi at the end of the last season and it?s clear that for whatever reason he hasn?t achieved his potential over the last couple of years.

“Mitch has spent quite a lot of time in the factory over the last few weeks, preparing with the team and completing sessions on the sim and it?s quite clear that he?s fitting in well and is extremely determined and focussed.

“We?re excited to see him progress in a Carlin car when pre-season testing gets underway.?

2015 GP3 Series line-up so far