Collard joins Carlin for BRDC

MSA Formula vice champion Ricky Collard will join Carlin for the 2016 BRDC Formula 4 Championship.  The 19 year-old racer will join Ameya Vaidyanathan and Lando Norris in Carlin’s three car team.  Collard will take the place of previously announced driver Colton Herta in Carlin’s BRDC squad.

Collard is a well known quantity to Carlin, thanks to his competitive fight to second in the 2015 MSA Formula Championship.  The British racer put up a spirited fight to eventual champion and Carlin driver Lando Norris and also fought hard with Carlin’s Colton Herta in the final stages of the 2015 season.

Collard took an impressive 13 podiums last season, including six wins to keep the championship battle alive to the final event of the season.  Prior to MSA Formula, Collard who is also a BRDC Rising Star, raced in the UK Formula Ford Championship following a strong karting career.

Speaking about his move to the BRDC F4 Championship, the Duo backed driver said, “It’s a pretty surreal situation really.  This deal came together pretty quickly, and as a local lad with my local team it all fits together really well. I always dreamt of driving for a team like Carlin when I was younger, so thanks to everyone who helped put this deal together, particularly my manager Harry Soden.  I think I’ve got the best opportunity I’ve ever had; it’s an important year this year.  Finishing second in the MSA Formula was great last year but obviously I want to go that one place further.  Fighting with Lando in different cars was great in 2015 and now we will be able to push each other hard in the same car, which will also help the team internally.  The BRDC car is great to drive; there’s a lot of instant power and the change of direction is impressive.  It’s going to great to drive around UK circuits, and pushing hard at tracks like Oulton Park certainly won’t be for the fainthearted.  I’ve really excited and can’t wait to get the season underway.”

Trevor Carlin added, “We’re absolutely delighted that Ricky joins our BRDC squad.  Ricky was a great competitor in MSA Formula last season and put up a great fight to Lando in the championship battle.  We’re very excited that we now have the opportunity to fight for the BRDC title together this season and I’ve no doubt that Ricky will be a great asset to the team.”

Collard has his first opportunity to test the Carlin BRDC car this week at Snetterton.