Dean Stoneman will race with Carlin in Sochi this weekend for the ninth round of the 2015 GP2 Series. The British driver, who has been competing in the Formula Renault 3.5 series, will race alongside Sean Gelael for the Russian round of the season as he replaces Julian Leal, who has announced his GP2 retirement.
Stoneman competed around the Sochi Autodrom last season in GP3, where he took an impressive pole position, victory in Saturday’s race and a podium position in the weekend’s final race.
“I’m excited; this will be a new challenge for me to get into a GP2 car. I’m not going to know what to expect really until I get out there and get a feel of the car.” Said Stoneman. “It’s going to be a great experience though and I’m going out to do a good job.
It’s nice to go back to a track I have good memories of; last year in GP3 was a great weekend for me, winning from pole in the first race and then second in the second race so I’m looking forward to going there again.”
The Red Bull Junior driver has had a strong season in the FR3.5 series, having picked up numerous podiums which included a second position in Monaco earlier in the year. Stoneman is currently the leading rookie in the championship and is third in the overall standings.
Talking about the arrival of Stoneman to the team, Trevor Carlin added: “…It’s great to welcome Dean to the team – he is a driver who we have closely watched for many years and someone who is extremely talented.
It is great to have the opportunity to work with him this weekend in the GP2 Series and he has already fitted in well with the team back at the workshop. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Julian [Leal] for all his contribution to the team over the course of this season.”
