Carlin Finalizes LMP2 Lineup with Tincknell, Barnicoat

Reigning FIA Formula 2 champion team Carlin has added Harry Tincknell and Ben Barnicoat to its European Le Mans Series driver lineup.

The pair will co-drive the British squad’s Dallara P217 Gibson with Jack Manchester, who was announced alongside the program’s confirmation in February.

Former Carlin F3 racer Tincknell will balance his ELMS duties with full-time roles at Ford Chip Ganassi Racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship and Mazda Team Joest in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

A clash between the ELMS season-opener at Paul Ricard and the IMSA round at Long Beach means the Englishman will miss Carlin’s first race in LMP2 competition, with Olivier Pla subbing into the lineup.

McLaren Automotive factory driver Barnicoat is set for his first season in prototype racing having concentrated on GT3 machinery since moving away from single-seaters in 2017.

“Together we have created an exciting team of drivers,” said team principal Trevor Carlin.

“Jack, who is a very promising driver at the start of his career in sports cars, will have a great mentor in Harry who we know from our days together in Formula Three.

“Similarly, Ben is an extremely exciting driver who has made a big impact in testing and we have the best super sub you could wish for in Olivier for the first round. It’s going to be an exciting season.”

Carlin has also announced that it has signed a partnership with AI technology company Thunderhead that will see its 2019 LMP2 entry known as Thunderhead Carlin Racing.

The renowned single-seater squad, which has clinched titles in multiple junior categories, is running its ELMS program in addition to its current ventures in F2, FIA Formula 3, British F3, British F4 and IndyCar this year.