Carlin Motorsport

Carlin
Company type	Private
Industry	Motorsport
Founded	1996
Founder	Trevor Carlin, Martin Stone
Fate	Renamed Rodin Carlin (2023), later Rodin Motorsport after ownership change
Headquarters	Farnham, United Kingdom
Area served	International (FIA Formula 2, FIA Formula 3, IndyCar Series, European Le Mans Series)
Key people	Trevor Carlin (founder, former), David Dicker (Rodin Cars founder, majority stakeholder)
Products	Racing team services in various developmental and premier motorsport categories

Carlin, previously known as Carlin Motorsport and later Rodin Carlin, was a British racing outfit primarily active in developmental categories such as FIA Formula 2 and FIA Formula 3. The team also competed in premier competitions like the IndyCar Series and European Le Mans Series.

Established in 1996 by Trevor Carlin alongside Martin Stone, Carlin achieved success across numerous championships including Porsche Supercup, World Series by Renault, Formula BMW UK, F3 Euro Series, British F3, FIA European F3, FIA Formula E, GP3 Series, and GP2 Series.

In 2009, the organization underwent a rebranding from Carlin Motorsport to simply Carlin following an investment by Grahame Chilton and Rupert Swallow’s Capsicum Motorsport Group. By 2023, Rodin Cars, a New Zealand-based manufacturer, became the majority stakeholder through founder David Dicker’s financial involvement, leading to the team’s renaming as Rodin Carlin. After a dispute between Dicker and the Carlins later that year, Trevor and Stephanie Carlin departed, with Dicker taking full ownership and rebranding the team as Rodin Motorsport.

Carlin has played a pivotal role in nurturing over 200 drivers who advanced to Formula 1, counting prominent figures such as Sebastian Vettel, Nico Rosberg, Robert Kubica, Takuma Sato, Daniel Ricciardo, Jean-Éric Vergne, Kevin Magnussen, Felipe Nasr, George Russell, Carlos Sainz Jr., and Lando Norris among its alumni. Other notable former drivers include Josef Newgarden, Patricio O'Ward, and Ed Jones.

History

Originating in 1996 under the name Carlin Motorsport, the team underwent a significant restructuring in 2010 after receiving substantial backing from Grahame Chilton’s Capsicum Motorsport. This led to a simplified brand identity as Carlin to ensure sustainable growth.

A1 GP

During the 2005-06 A1 Grand Prix campaign, Carlin operated the racing programs for Lebanon, Portugal, and Japan. They maintained their partnership with Lebanon through the 2006–07 and 2007–08 seasons before transitioning to manage Korea’s entry in 2008–09 until the series concluded.

British Formula 3

Having competed since 1997, Carlin achieved its inaugural win with Narain Karthikeyan in 1999. From 2001 onward, the team amassed nine British Formula 3 titles, establishing itself as the most triumphant outfit in the championship’s history. Champions developed by Carlin include Takuma Sato (2001), Alan van der Merwe (2003), Álvaro Parente (2005), Jaime Alguersuari (2008), Daniel Ricciardo (2009), Jean-Éric Vergne (2010), Felipe Nasr (2011), Jack Harvey (2012), Jordan King (2013), and Enaam Ahmed (2017).

Formula 3 Euro Series and European Formula 3

Carlin joined the Formula 3 Euro Series grid in 2008. After initial difficulties, drivers William Buller and Carlos Sainz Jr. secured top-ten finishes during the 2012 season. In that same year’s inaugural FIA European Formula 3 Championship, Sainz finished fifth while Buller placed sixth.

The following years featured consistent results: Harry Tincknell ranked fifth and Jordan King sixth in 2013; Antonio Giovinazzi was sixth, King seventh, and Jake Dennis ninth in 2014; Giovinazzi ended runner-up with George Russell sixth in 2015. The team experienced a downturn in 2016 without any top-ten placements.

In 2017, rookie Lando Norris captured the FIA European Formula 3 Championship title for Carlin, making them only the second squad after Prema to win this championship. Teammates Jehan Daruvala and Ferdinand Habsburg completed the standings sixth and seventh respectively. The final campaign in 2018 saw Daruvala finish tenth, Sacha Fenestraz eleventh, and Habsburg thirteenth.

Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix

Since 1998, Carlin has been a regular competitor at the Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix, securing impressive achievements such as Takuma Sato's victory in 2001 and António Félix da Costa's triumphs in 2012 and 2016. The team has also recorded strong performances from drivers including Robert Kubica, Brendon Hartley, Felipe Nasr, and Antonio Giovinazzi.

Formula Nissan/Renault 3.5 Series

Carlin has been involved in this series starting in 2003, consistently earning at least one race win each year. The team clinched two drivers' championships with Mikhail Aleshin in 2010 and Robert Wickens in 2011, along with a team title. After taking a break in 2014 due to budgetary and driver issues, Carlin returned in 2015 by replacing ISR Racing. Following Renault's withdrawal of support, Carlin exited again, with RP Motorsport taking their place in the 2016 Formula V8 3.5 Championship.

GP3

Carlin entered the GP3 Series during its inaugural season in 2010, finishing fifth overall with 42 points. The following year, the team slipped to ninth but rebounded in 2012 by securing third place in both teams' and drivers' standings, driven primarily by António Félix da Costa alongside teammates Alex Brundle and Will Buller. In 2013, Carlin ended the season fourth while Daniil Kvyat won the drivers' title for Arden International. The team captured the Constructors' championship in 2014, with Alex Lynn taking the drivers' crown. For the 2015 campaign, the driver lineup included Jann Mardenborough, Mitch Gilbert, and Ferrari Academy member Antonio Fuoco. Carlin departed from GP3 after completing the 2015 season.

GP2

Carlin made its GP2 debut in 2011 with Max Chilton as lead driver and initially Mikhail Aleshin as his teammate; however, financial constraints led to several driver substitutions including Oliver Turvey and Álvaro Parente. In 2012, a collaboration with Marussia F1 helped Chilton achieve two victories and finish fourth in the drivers' championship alongside Rio Haryanto; Carlin secured fifth place in the teams' rankings.

The 2013 lineup featured Felipe Nasr and Jolyon Palmer, who together earned two wins and nine podium finishes; Nasr was a strong contender for the drivers' title up to the final race. Carlin narrowly lost out on the teams' championship to Russian Time on a tiebreaker.

Following Nasr’s move to Sauber F1 at the end of 2014, Julián Leal stayed on with new teammate Marco Sorensen for a difficult 2015 season that saw Carlin finish ninth—their lowest position since 2012. In 2016, Marvin Kirchhofer and Sergio Canamasas represented Carlin as the team ended tenth before withdrawing from GP2 the subsequent year.

Indy Lights

On November 1, 2014, Carlin announced its expansion into the U.S.-based Indy Lights series starting with the 2015 season, operating out of a new facility located in Poughkeepsie, New York. The team partnered with familiar suppliers such as Dallara, AER, and Cooper Tire.

Ed Jones transitioned from Carlin’s Formula 3 program to their Indy Lights squad in 2015. He was joined by former Formula One drivers and Carlin alumni Max Chilton and Nelson Piquet Jr., who competed temporarily.

In the following year, Jones remained with Carlin alongside Félix Serrallés and Neil Alberico. Jones captured the drivers’ championship while Carlin secured the teams’ title.

The roster for 2017 included Alberico, Zachary Claman DeMelo, Matheus Leist—who notably won the Freedom 100—and Garth Rickards. After this season concluded, Carlin ceased its Indy Lights involvement to concentrate on entering the IndyCar Series in 2018.

Carlin returned to Indy Lights competition for the 2021 season as part of the Jay Howard Driver Development program, fielding a two-car lineup featuring Alex Peroni and an additional driver.

Formula One

In April 2006, Trevor Carlin revealed that the team had submitted an application to join the Formula One World Championship for the 2008 season; however, their bid was declined in favor of Prodrive F1. Despite rumors suggesting a possible entry attempt in 2011, Carlin dismissed these claims, underlining the team's commitment to excelling in junior racing categories.

Lets Race to Reality

In 2014, Carlin collaborated with Surrey-based simulator company Lets Race to introduce Lets Race to Reality, a competition open to drivers aged over 16. The contest begins at Lets Race’s Horley simulation center, with successful participants moving on to a karting challenge held at Buckmore Park in Kent. Final contenders then participate in various assessments at Carlin’s Farnham headquarters, including sessions in the team’s professional simulator and interviews with motorsport experts such as Trevor Carlin and John Surtees. The ultimate winner is awarded a full-day test drive in a Formula 3 vehicle at Pembrey Circuit in Wales.

The inaugural 2014 event was won by Piers Prior, who tested at Pembrey using Jake Dennis’s car.

Formula E

During the 2014–15 Formula E season, Carlin acted as the technical service provider for Mahindra Racing. This collaboration concluded when Mahindra later aligned with the Spanish outfit Campos Racing.

IndyCar Series

In December 2017, Carlin declared its intention to compete in the IndyCar Series starting with the 2018 season, fielding two full-time entries piloted by former Formula 3 drivers Max Chilton and Charlie Kimball. This marked Carlin’s first venture into a senior-level open-wheel championship, fulfilling a strategic objective long held by the team. Following the conclusion of the 2021 season, Carlin exited IndyCar and transferred its assets to Juncos Hollinger Racing.

FIA Formula 2 Championship

Carlin made its return to the FIA Formula 2 Championship in 2018 and promptly secured the teams' championship title with drivers Sérgio Sette Câmara and Lando Norris. Norris finished as runner-up in the drivers' standings, while Sette Câmara achieved sixth place. For 2019, Carlin’s roster included Nobuharu Matsushita and Louis Delétraz, who ended the season sixth and eighth respectively. The 2020 campaign featured rookie driver Yuki Tsunoda, who attained third place overall in the drivers' classification, contributing to Carlin’s third-place finish in the teams’ championship alongside four race victories. Jehan Daruvala placed twelfth and was retained for the following year alongside newcomer Dan Ticktum, who replaced Tsunoda after his promotion to Formula 1.

Formula 3

In October 2018, Carlin was announced as one of ten teams selected for the inaugural 2019 FIA Formula 3 Championship. In January 2019, Carlin formed a partnership with Japanese investment group Buzz, which facilitated Honda-backed Teppei Natori’s inclusion in their F3 lineup. The team also participated in the 2019 Japanese Formula 3 Championship through OIRC team YTB, fielding driver Charles Milesi. In 2020, Carlin achieved its first Formula 3 podium finish with driver Clément Novalak, who concluded the season twelfth in the championship standings.

Sportscars

Following their involvement with Sascha Maassen in the 2001 Porsche Supercup, Carlin made a return to sportscar competition by entering the 2019 European Le Mans Series in the LMP2 class, fielding the sole Dallara P217 on the track. The #45 entry featured drivers Jack Manchester, Harry Tincknell, and Ben Barnicoat, with Olivier Pla and Harrison Newey stepping in as occasional substitutes throughout the season.

eSkootr Championship

Carlin distinguished itself as the inaugural team to confirm participation in the eSkootr Championship (eSc), an international racing series for electric scooters, marking the team's initial venture into two-wheeled motorsport disciplines.

Extreme E

In 2023, Carlin collaborated with Lewis Hamilton's X44 for the 2023 season, under the leadership of team principal Stephanie Carlin.

Current Formula One drivers

Carlos Sainz Jr. competed with Carlin at Macau in 2012 and 2013 before making his Formula One debut in 2015. His F1 career includes stints with Scuderia Toro Rosso (2016–2017), followed by engagements with Renault, McLaren, Ferrari, and presently Williams.
Lando Norris raced for Carlin between 2015 and 2018 across various championships, securing titles in MSA Formula (2015) and FIA Formula 3 European Championship (2017). After joining McLaren’s junior program in 2017 and serving as reserve driver in 2018, he earned a full-time Formula One seat at McLaren from 2019, partnering again with former Carlin driver Carlos Sainz Jr.
George Russell, a former GP3 and Formula 2 champion, competed for Carlin in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship during 2015. He debuted in F1 with Williams in 2019, filled in for Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2020, and secured a full-time role with Mercedes starting in 2022.
Yuki Tsunoda raced for Carlin in FIA Formula 2 during the 2020 season and has been driving for AlphaTauri since 2021.
Liam Lawson competed with Carlin in FIA Formula 2 throughout 2022 and is set to join Red Bull Racing from the 2025 season onward.

Other notable drivers

Sebastian Vettel, four-time Formula One World Champion with Red Bull Racing, drove for Carlin in FR3.5 and F3 categories during 2006–2007.
Robert Kubica participated in the 2005 Macau Grand Prix representing Carlin; he completed 76 Grands Prix with BMW Sauber and Renault before returning to F1 with Williams in 2019 alongside George Russell. He currently races in DTM with BMW Orlen Team ART.
Brendon Hartley, a former Carlin competitor, raced for Porsche in the World Endurance Championship, served as a test driver for Red Bull and Mercedes, made his F1 debut with Toro Rosso in 2017, and now acts as a development driver for Scuderia Ferrari.
Felipe Nasr raced for Carlin across F3 and GP2 from 2012 to 2014; he debuted in Formula One with Sauber in 2015 and currently competes in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
Marcus Ericsson contested the Macau Grand Prix with Carlin in 2008; he later raced in F1 for Caterham and Sauber and currently competes in the IndyCar Series.
Rio Haryanto drove GP2 cars for Carlin during 2012 before making his Formula One debut with Manor Racing in 2016.
Jolyon Palmer competed with Carlin in GP2 during 2013 before driving for Renault Sport F1 Team.
Narain Karthikeyan raced World Series by Nissan cars under Carlin’s banner in 2003; he participated intermittently in Formula One from 2005 to 2012 and has recently been active in Super Formula.
Tiago Monteiro drove World Series by Nissan entries in 2004; he spent two seasons competing in F1 with Jordan and Midland/Spyker between 2005 and 2006.
Both Jaime Alguersuari and Sébastien Buemi raced for Carlin before each spending three seasons driving for Scuderia Toro Rosso.
Bruno Senna, currently racing for Mahindra Racing’s Formula E team operated by Carlin, previously competed in F1 with HRT, Renault, and Williams.
Former F1 driver Karun Chandhok piloted Mahindra Racing's Formula E car managed by Carlin during the 2014–15 season; he now serves as an analyst on Sky Sports F1 broadcasts.
Former British F3 racer with Carlin, Alan van der Merwe, currently drives the official medical car during Formula One events.
Ex-Carlin driver Oliver Turvey, who competed in Formula Renault and GP2, serves as McLaren’s test and reserve driver; he also won the LMP2 class at the 2014 24 Hours of Le Mans.
IndyCar Series champion (2014) and Indianapolis 500 winner (2018) Will Power raced Formula Renault 3.5 Series cars for Carlin back in 2005 before achieving success with Team Penske.
Former Carlin F3 competitor Anthony Davidson became World Endurance Champion with Toyota Racing in 2014 after participating in 24 Grands Prix.
Between 2009 and 2012, Max Chilton raced F3 and GP2 cars for Carlin before competing for Marussia F1 (2013–14) and returning to Carlin’s IndyCar program from 2018 onward.
Conor Daly, who drove GP3 cars for Carlin during the 2011 season, rejoined their IndyCar team part-time from 2019; he earned the team’s first IndyCar pole position at Iowa Speedway in 2020.
Former Scuderia Toro Rosso driver Jean-Éric Vergne, who raced Formula Renault 3.5 Series vehicles for Carlin in 2011, is now FIA Formula E champion driving for Techeetah.
After making his F1 debut with Caterham (later Manor Marussia) in 2014, former Carlin racer Will Stevens competes today with Manor Motorsport within the World Endurance Championship.
Two-time IndyCar Series champion (Josef Newgarden) drove GP3 cars for Carlin during the 2010 season before achieving success with Team Penske.
Former competitor of both Formula Renault 3.5 and British F3 categories under Carlin, Robert Wickens races full-time in IndyCar, having secured pole position at St. Petersburg Raceway in 2018.
British F3 racer turned IndyCar participant since 2011, Charlie Kimball, rejoined Carlin’s IndyCar efforts starting from the year 2018.
Multiple Indianapolis 500 winner (Takuma Sato) drove British F3 cars for Carlin between 2000–2001 before competing several seasons within Formula One.
European F3 competitor (Daniil Kvyat) raced under Carlin’s banner during the 2013 season; he has driven for both Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso before returning to Toro Rosso between the years of 2019–2020.
Former FIA Formula 2 teammate of Lando Norris (Sérgio Sette Câmara) competed alongside him at Carlin during the championship's inaugural year of participation (2018); he also previously raced within Formula E.
Runner-up of FIA Formula 3 European Championship while racing for Carlin (2014), Tom Blomqvist is scheduled to compete across both IndyCar and IMSA SportsCar Championship events during the upcoming year of 2024.
Macau Grand Prix participant (Daniel Ricciardo) represented Carlin back in 2009; he formerly drove for Red Bull Racing, Toro Rosso, Renault, McLaren, before joining RB Formula One Team alongside Yuki Tsunoda starting from the year of his latest engagement (2024).
Competed within Formula Renault 3.5 Series cars fielded by Carlin (2012), former McLaren debutant (Kevin Magnussen) later drove for Renault and Haas before returning to Haas after a stint focused on sports car racing beginning from the year of his comeback (2022).
Involved with Carlin throughout his campaign within the FIA Formula 2 Championship during its recent edition (2022), newcomer (Logan Sargeant) made his debut alongside Alex Albon driving for Williams during his rookie season within Formula One (2023).

Timeline

Past Competitions
British Formula Three Championship	1997–2014
Porsche Supercup	2001
World Series by Nissan	2003–2004
Formula BMW UK	2004–2007
3000 Pro Series	2005
Italian Formula Three Championship	2005
A1 Grand Prix	2005–2009
Formula Renault 3.5 Series	2005–2013, 2015
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0	2007
British Formula Renault Championship	2007
Formula 3 Euro Series	2008–2009, 2011–2012
GP3 Series	2010–2015
GP2 Asia Series	2011
GP2 Series	2011–2016
FIA Formula 3 European Championship	2012–2018
Formula E	2014–2015
Indy Lights	2015–2017, 2021
F4 British Championship	2015–2017, 2019–2023
Euroformula Open Championship	2016–2021
GB3 Championship	2016–2023
IndyCar Series	2018–2021
FIA Formula 2 Championship	2018–2023
Japanese Formula 3 Championship	2019
European Le Mans Series	2019
Asian Le Mans Series	2019–2020
FIA Formula 3 Championship	2019–2023
ESkootr Championship	2022
Formula 4 UAE Championship	2023
F4 Spanish Championship	2023
Extreme E	2023
F1 Academy	2023

External links

Carlin Motorsport