Daly, Buller and Blomqvist to test for Carlin’s GP3 team
After a season which proved the competitiveness of the GP3 Series, Carlin head into this week’s test in Valencia with a view to make further improvements to the team’s car. Having been near the top of the time sheets with Carlos Huertas in Barcelona a few weeks ago, Carlin now move onto the second post-season test with Daly, Buller and Blomqvist behind the wheel.
Daly makes a welcome return to the cockpit having spent the 2011 GP3 season with Carlin, when his rate of development and improvement as a driver impressed many in the paddock. Having gained a reputation as one of the most impressive racers in the Series, Daly has become an established figure in GP3. With bad luck preventing him from accumulating the points tally he deserved, Daly will be looking to prove his pace with some competitive lap times on Wednesday and Thursday this week.
Joining Daly on Wednesday will be William Buller who has spent the 2011 season competing in the British F3 series where he secured nine podiums on his way to finishing the season in fourth position. This week’s test will mark Buller’s first experience of a GP3 car.
On Thursday Carlin will field Tom Blomqvist alongside Daly. Blomqvist became the youngest champion of the Formula Renault UK series in 2010 at the age of 16 while in 2011 he competed in the German F3 series where he finished 6th overall, taking one win in the process.
An enthusiastic Conor Daly said, “I’m really looking forward to getting back in the car this week. The last race in GP3 was a real disappointment because I was taken out when I was on for a great finish and I want to erase that memory with a positive test.
“Our focus this week is to further develop the car and continue to learn about it. My aim is to finish the session at the top of the timings."
Trevor Carlin added, “It’s great to have three such experienced drivers in the car this week. Obviously we welcome Conor back with open arms; he was extremely impressive this season, on tracks he had never raced on before. To have him back in the car for testing and aiding our development program further will be extremely helpful. Both Will and Tom are very talented drivers and it will be interesting to see how they adapt to the challenges of the GP3 car."