Carlin’s British F3 racer Li Zhi Cong will be joined by Alice Powell for this weekend’s season opener at the Rockingham circuit in Northamptonshire. The duo will kick off the 2014 Cooper Tires British F3 Championship for the reigning champions Carlin, after a last minute deal for British racer Powell. 

Carlin are nine times winners of the British F3 championship, having taken the title over the last five consecutive seasons, with champions including Jaime Alguersuari, Daniel Ricciardo, Jean-Eric Vergne, Felipe Nasr and Jack Harvey.  The team clinched the 2013 title with British racer Jordan King who is challenging for the FIA Formula 3 European Championship in 2014. 

Chinese racer Li Zhi Cong has enjoyed a detailed test programme with Carlin, as he enters his first season of racing in Europe. The 20 year-old comes from a GT racing background, although he competed with Carlin in the British F3 round at Brands Hatch last year.

Powell meanwhile was vice champion in last year’s F3 Cup and also has experience in the GP3 Series and Formula Renault 2.0. The 21 year-old will be aiming for some strong results this weekend, despite being forced to miss qualifying due to a prior clashing commitment.

Speaking about the weekend ahead, Powell said, “As always you wait for something to come along and then two buses come at once! It will be a hectic weekend but I’m really really excited. I’ve always wanted to race in British Formula 3 ever since I did Formula Renault so to get the opportunity to do it now and with the reigning champions is really good. I’ve got a trial for the Team GB Skeleton team on Sunday, so I’ll miss qualifying but be back for the first race. I’ll be starting at the back of the grid but aiming to get to the front as quickly as I can.

“A couple of years ago I tested an F308 at a very wet Silverstone, so I only have very limited experience of this car. Last year I did the F3 Cup which was in a F306 Toyota, so this is going to be quite a big difference. It’s been a while since I’ve competed at Rockingham, so I’m aiming to get up to speed as quickly as possible during practice on Saturday.”

Li Zhi Cong added, “For me this weekend will be quite tough because it is my first time racing at Rockingham. The team have helped me a lot though and to finish the race and to gain experience is my aim. This is my first year in F3 so I think the most important thing is to learn. I will be trying my best of course but I want to focus on improving myself.

“Compared to the GT cars I have driven before, the F3 car is a very good challenge with a lot more downforce. I’m enjoying it so far and am excited to start my first season with Carlin this weekend.” 

In a departure from the normal schedule, practice will take place at Rockingham on Saturday, with qualifying and race one on Sunday and race two and three on Bank Holiday Monday.