Petru Florescu will race with Carlin in the inaugural season of the MSA Formula Certified by FIA Powered by Ford EcoBoost. The Romanian is the third driver to be announced in Carlin’s team and graduates from the Carlin Academy, the team’s junior programme that helps young racers make their first step into formula racing.

Florescu will make his return to racing after a traumatic accident in karting last year, which saw the Romanian teenager suffering two badly broken legs requiring surgery. Despite only just being able to walk again, Florescu started his racing rehabilitation by joining the Carlin Academy, completing a bespoke programme on the team’s simulator and school cars, together with physical rehabilitation from Carlin’s sports science partners at Pro Performance.

Florescu joins already announced drivers Lando Norris and Colton Herta in the newly launched MSA Formula, based on the FIA’s Formula 4 model. The Championship will allow drivers as young as 15 to race at circuits around the UK on the popular and well attended British Touring Car package.

Speaking about his race programme, Florescu said, “I am very happy to be able to race with Carlin in 2015.  I feel at home in the team and the Carlin Academy helped me immensely. The comeback from my accident has been a difficult struggle, but I’ve worked hard and feel more prepared than ever. I am very much looking forward to next year’s challenge!”

Trevor Carlin added, “The progress that Petru has shown since he first started testing with us in the Carlin Academy is quite staggering. From being unable to get in the car himself for a seat fit, he’s now applying the same brake pressure as his peers and demonstrating a competitive pace in testing. He has shown utter determination and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to help him through his period of recovery back into a race seat again. I’ve no doubt that he will be a great asset to the team and will progress further as the 2015 season unfolds.”