Image: GP2 Media
British duo Dean Stoneman and Callum Ilott have both joined the Red Bull Junior Team ahead of the 2015 season.
Stoneman, 24, finished runner-up in the 2014 GP3 season, and will move to Formula Renault 3.5 with the DAMS team, while Ilott, 16, will compete in the European Formula 3 championship with Carlin.
French driver Pierre Gasly is also a part of the programme, and will compete for DAMS in the GP2 Series alongisde Alex Lynn, who recently left the Red Bull squad to become Williams’ development driver.
The programme is famous for bringing talents such as Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat into Formula 1.
“To be part of the Red Bull Junior Team has been one of my life goals and it is fantastic to be given the chance,” said Stoneman. “You just have to look at the names that have gone before to see that only the best drivers get into the programme.
“I’m thrilled about the year ahead; to be in the DAMS team in World Series is a perfect opportunity. I obviously have all the support I need and we have a great build-up planned before the start of the season.”
Ilott, the reigning KF European karting champion, will step up to Formula 3 after only his first season in single seaters,
“Being in the Red Bull Junior Team is a privilege,” said Ilott. “Last season was very good for me so I was hoping for a good start in cars but I didn’t imagine that I would get this opportunity.
“The step up is quite something. I have a lot to learn but I have already had a very good start with a few F3 tests with Carlin and a couple of tests in a Renault 2.0 before coming out to New Zealand for the Toyota Series.
“For this year I want to make a good impression, show my speed early and keep improving.”
