Photo: Alastair Staley/GP3 Series Media Service
American racer Conor Daly will remain in GP3 with ART Grand Prix for the 2013 season, joining the previously confirmed Facu Regalia and Jack Harvey.
Having become the Star Mazda series champion in 2010, the son of ex-F1 driver Derek Daly made the decision to switch from Road to Indy to the F1 support series GP3 in 2011. In his maiden year in the series, he finished 17th with Carlin, with a best finish of fifth during race one at Spa.
In 2012, Daly signed for ART (then Lotus GP) and, taking a maiden win in the season opener at Barcelona, finished sixth overall. The American, who is 21, went on to make his GP2 debut after having tested in GP2 and GP3 over the winter, appearing with the new team Hilmer at the Sepang opener and scoring two points in the sprint race. However, a full season did not seem on the cards and Daly yielded his seat to Robin Frijns.
Despite being scheduled to make his debut in he Indy 500 this year, Daly has made the decision to contest another year in GP3. “I am very much looking forward to being back with ART Grand Prix again”, stated the driver. “Their history in the junior levels is impressive and I want to add to their legacy. Testing went well and the new car is so much better than before. I can’t wait for Barcelona.”
“ART Grand Prix and I are sincerely delighted to give Conor another warm welcome”, added team boss Frederic Vasseur. “We only have excellent memories from the first year of our collaboration and Conor is valued very much for his speed, his ability to push hard on the race track and the fact that he’s always in a good mood.”
2012 saw ART take the the GP3 teams’ championship for the third time in a row. Alongside Daly, the team fielded Daniel Abt and Aaro Vainio, with the latter finishing fourth in the standings and the former losing out on the title by two points.