Breen joins Carlin F3 squad

Formula BMW UK Champion Niall Breen has signed with Carlin Motorsport for the 2007 British F3 Championship. Breen, who dominated the 2006 Formula BMW UK season, tested with Carlin in December as part of his prize for taking the title. Breen began his career in karting in his home country of Ireland in 1994. Moving up the karting ranks, he competed in the European FA Kart Championship in 2003. In 2005, the Irishman competed in the highly respected Formula BMW championship, finishing a respectable 11th. In his second season, Breen scored 16 podium finishes – 13 of them consecutive –taking nine race wins to claim the title with three races to go.

Making the logical jump to F3, the 20 year-old will follow in the footsteps of champions Takuma Sato, Alan Van de Merwe and Alvaro Parente when he competes with Carlin in his first F3 race at Oulton Park on 9 April. Three times champions and four times runners-up, Carlin are already one of the favorites to take the title in 2007. After several successful years with Honda power, the team recently announced a switch to Mercedes engines for the new season. The move will ensure the team maintains its position as the most successful team in British F3 history, with 73 race wins to date.

Speaking about his new team, Breen said, “I’m really looking forward to my first season in Formula 3 with Carlin. The team has a fantastic track record and the Mercedes engine will make the team an even stronger force this year. “My prize for winning the Formula BMW UK Championship was the F3 test with Carlin in December which went really well and I was very impressed with the team then. I’ve got 12 days testing before the season starts, so by the first race at Oulton Park I should be comfortable with the extra power compared to Formula BMW. Commenting on his new signing, Team Principal Trevor Carlin said, “Niall has shown he is an extremely talented driver and we are thrilled to welcome him to the team. His performance in Formula BMW last year was outstanding and I’m sure he will carry the same level of ability and determination into F3. We look forward to seeing him in the car later this month when testing resumes."

Breen will race in the Championship Class alongside Sam Bird and Mario Moraes, who were confirmed as Carlin drivers last month.