Harvey re-signs with champions

8:00am Thu Jan 19, 2012

Racer Jack Harvey has announced a return to the Cooper Tires British F3 International Championship with 2011 British F3 Champions Carlin.

Harvey, 19, of Bassingham, competed in his rookie season in British F3 with Carlin last year.

Despite a challenging start to the season, the Racing Steps Foundation-backed driver ended the year on a high, securing four podiums in four races, including his maiden F3 win at the Nurburgring, Germany.

2012 will mark Harvey’s fourth year in single-seater racing and, with British F3 widely regarded as a two-year racing programme, Harvey will be targeting the championship title over the course of the season to add to his second place in the 2010 Formula BMW Championship.

Harvey has already started winter testing at some of the UK tracks on the 2012 calendar and has impressed from the off, topping the time sheets at all four venues.

His championship campaign begins on April 6 at Oulton Park.

The campaign will see him race at ten circuits across the UK and Europe, before the season finale at Donington Park on September 30.

“Despite the tough start to 2011 I can look back on my first season in British F3 and feel happy that I met my key goals, which were to achieve regular podium finishes and a race win,” said Harvey.

“Winter testing is already well underway and the initial signs are really promising. I’m really happy with how it has gone.

“I will be heading into the new season confident and with the single aim of winning the title.

“It was a privilege to win with Carlin last year. They are the top team, having won the championship seven times, and I am extremely pleased to be with them again this year.”

Team owner Trevor Carlin said: “We are delighted to have Jack back on board with us for a second season.

“Having made the big step up from Formula BMW, Jack really developed as a driver land by the middle point of the season had become a consistent front runner.

“With the experience of a year in F3, we expect Jack to be a championship challenger from the outset.”