Chinese driver added to increasing Carlin squad
Chinese driver Peter Li Zhi Cong is the latest addition to the Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series. The 19-year-old will race an International class car for the Carlin team at next weekends (10/11 Aug) third round, at Brands Hatch in Kent.Li Zhi Cong got his first experience of F3 earlier in the year in a test on the Brands Hatch GP circuit and acquitted himself well; a further test at Snetterton increased the Guangzhou-based drivers interest in the series.The arrival of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia driver sees Carlins ranks rise to four cars, with another driver to be announced on Monday. This sees the ranks of the top British single-seater series increase to become a fourteen-car grid.After building a promising single-seater career, Li Zhi Cong switched to GT racing two years ago, but Carlins victory at the Macau Grand Prix last year with Antnio Flix da Costa caught the teenagers eye."In 2012 I was taking part in the Macau GT Cup and Carlin's victory caught my eye. Ive been following F3 for a few years now and noticed that Carlin is one of the most successful F3 teams in the world. Since I started racing I always wanted to compete in an F3 car. British F3 is the right choice due to its history and demanding British circuits."Next weekend will be the first time in two years that the ex-Asia Formula Renault Series racer will have raced a single-seater car, and itll be the first time Li Zhi Cong has raced in Europe."Brands will be my debut in the European racing scene. Most of my racing has been in Asia and Ive not been ready to make the jump to Europe. Now Im hoping to learn and become a better and faster driver. Ive never raced at Brands but I did test with Carlin earlier in the year and enjoyed the circuit very much, that's why I decided to take part in this race. The car is great, but I have limited experience, so I cant expect to fight for the top places."While the deal for 2013 is just for Brands Hatch, the news of a new-look British F3 for 2014 has increased Li Zhi Congs interest in returning to the series for a full campaign next season.British Formula 3's Brand Hatch round gets underway on Saturday with qualifying at 11:15, and race one starts at 14:55. On Sunday, race two starts at 11:00, with race three at 16:50.
