21-year-old Victor Carbone is making his GP3 series debut in 2014 with the Trident Racing team. Not only that, it will be the first time the Brazilian has raced in Europe, having spent the last few years plying his trade in North America.
He admits that coming to Europe was a big decision to make, but one he found easy to do, and he was happy that Trident were able to make it happen for him.
“I have been looking to race in Europe for a few years now, and I am extremely happy that it worked this year,” said Carbone to The Checkered Flag. “Trident has shown me that they are committed to excel as much as I am, therefore I am happy with my decision. Now it is time to prepare as best as we can together as the real test will start in a few weeks in Estoril.
“It couldn’t feel better as Europe is the pinnacle of racing. The move to Europe will increase my learning curve, and I want to make the most of it.”
Carbone spent two years at the Sam Schmidt Motorsports outfit in Indy Lights, with a solitary win at Las Vegas at the end of the 2011 season, but a deal for a third season in 2013 did not work out for him, and he only made one appearance in Lights in 2013 with Team Moore Racing at Alabama. He did race in the Canadian Porsche Cup however for Alegra Motorsports.
“I did two years of Formula 2000 which I won the second year, and following that raced two years in Indy Lights finishing 6th both years. I was heading for a third year in Indy Lights in 2013, but things didn’t work out so I accepted the invitation of Alegra Motorsports my old Formula 2000 team to help them clinch the Team Championship in the Canadian Porsche Cup, which they did.”
The Brazilian, from Sao Paulo, is looking forward to his debut season in GP3, and in particular the car he will be driving, though he is unsure how quickly he will be able to adapt to them.
“There are many things in which I am looking forward to, but if I had to pick one would be the GP3 cars that everyone speaks well of.
“The goal is to adapt as quick as possible as it will be a vital step to accomplish. I don’t know the answer for that [of how long it would take to adapt to the GP3 car] myself!
“It is really hard for me in my position to set goals. I am determined to work, and do the best I can together with Trident. That’s the most important thing; the results will be a result of that.”
The new GP3 season begins at the Circuit de Catalunya in Spain on the 10th of May, while pre-season testing starts next week in Estoril, Portugal.
