Alvaro Parente will race with Carlin’s GP2 team in Valencia this weekend, making a welcome return to the team who took him to the 2005 British F3 title. The Portuguese racer, who has race winning experience in F1’s strongest feeder series, will race alongside Max Chilton on the Valencia street circuit this weekend.
Parente has competed in four GP2 races so far this season, taking two top ten finishes, including a podium in Monaco. Parente makes a welcome return to Carlin this weekend, having raced with the team in 2004 and 2005 in British Formula Three, taking the 2005 title. In 2006, Parente raced in the Carlin managed Victory Engineering Formula Renault 3.5 team, taking six podiums and three wins in his rookie season in the series.
As well as being an experience single-seater driver, Parente is now part of the McLaren GT driver line-up for its 2011 development programme.
Speaking about his return, Parente said, “I’m excited to be back with Carlin. I spent three great years with Trevor and the team from 2004 to 2006 and it’s nice to back, so thanks to the team for giving me this opportunity. I’m also really happy to be racing in GP2, it’s the category closest to F1 and it’s a big challenge for the drivers. I must say a big thank you to McLaren, not only for giving me an opportunity in the McLaren MP4-12C GT3, but also for allowing me to race in GP2. I’m extremely happy and very excited about helping Carlin in their first season in the series.”
Parente joins Max Chilton in Valencia, who is aiming for some more good results, following two top seven finishes last time out in Monaco. “I think we’re doing a great job just three rounds into our first GP2 season. Without some really bad luck in the opening race in Istanbul I could have scored points there, so I think it’s been a positive start to the season for the team. Valencia is a great track as well, it’s possible to overtake and it doesn’t really feel like a street circuit. It’s a one off circuit really, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Trevor Carlin added, “We have great respect for Alvaro, and know from experience what a talented and quick racing driver he is. We’ve shown in the last couple of races what we’re capable of as a team and with Max and Alvaro we’re expecting to make further progress this weekend in Valencia.”