Photo: Malcolm Griffiths/GP3 Media Service
Carlos Sainz Jr will race in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series for the first time when he drives for the Zeta Corse team in Monaco.
The 18-year-old Red Bull Junior lines up in the team’s second seat alongside regular Mihai Marinescu, replacing 16-year-old Matheo Tuscher who drove the car at the previous round of the season at Motorland Aragon.
Sainz began his GP3 Series campaign with MW Arden at Barcelona last weekend, but is available next weekend with GP3 not making the trip to Monaco this season. The opportunity provides Sainz with experience of the street circuit ahead of a potential promotion into FR3.5 for 2014 should Antonio Felix da Costa move on to Formula 1.
“We’re very happy to line-up Sainz Jr,” said Zeta team manager Claudio Corradini. “He’s a quick and talented driver, and while he’s still really young, he already proved to be mature and experienced.
“Although he’s currently committed to GP3, he entered some Renault 3.5 test days last winter and I’ve been very impressed with how he adapted to such a demanding car, he stayed amidst the frontrunners all the time despite being a rookie.
“From that moment on I put his name in my personal five-star shortlist hoping to join forces one day. This wish was granted so I’m proud that Sainz decided to join Zeta Corse for his series debut in a world-renowned round like Monte-Carlo.”