Photo: Fotospeedy
Euroformula race-winner Francesco Simonazzi has signed with Rodin Carlin to contest the final two rounds of the FIA Formula 3 season.
The 19-year-old Italian is the third driver to occupy Carlin’s #21 car, with Hunter Yeany doing the first five rounds of the season and then GB3 racer Max Esterson replacing him for this month’s rounds at Silverstone and the Hungaroring.
Simonazzi is currently fourth in the Euroformula standings, with one win and four other podiums from the first half of the season. Last year he was sixth in the series, with one win and three other podiums, and from 2019 to 2021 he raced in the Italian Formula 4 championship with a best finish of fourth.
“This is a great opportunity for me, although it has all come together incredibly quickly, I still can’t quite believe it,” said Simonazzi. “However, it’s a moment that all young racing drivers are working towards and I am determined to learn as much as I can as quickly as I can, while the best possible job for the team.
“Rodin Carlin has shown many times that it is an excellent place for a driver to start his F3 career and intend to make the most of the opportunity.”
Carlin’s team principal Trevor Carlin added: “We’re delighted to give Francesco his first taste of F3 this weekend. It’s going to be a lot to take in on one of the longest and most challenging circuits in the sport, with changeable weather to take into account as well. But Francesco comes into the weekend with exactly the right attitude and I know he will do a great job both inside and outside the car with the team this weekend.”