Carlin is proud to announce Japanese investment firm Buzz will become a title sponsor for its FIA Formula 3 Team for the 2019 season. The partnership will see a departure from the British squad’s customary blue livery to a black and neon yellow design for the team’s FIA F3 cars. Carlin Buzz Racing is also pleased to welcome Honda-backed Teppei Natori to the team; the Japanese racer, a Japanese Formula 4 race winner, already has a good relationship with Buzz and becomes the first driver to be announced in the team’s line-up.

Carlin and Buzz first joined forces during the 2018 Macau Grand Prix which saw the impressive livery debut and the duo step on the podium together with Callum Ilott during the Qualification Race. Following the joint success around the iconic Guia circuit the partnership continues into the 2019 FIA Formula 3 Championship with the confirmation of Carlin Buzz Racing title sponsorship.

Founded by Mr Daisuke Hasegawa, an ex-racer himself, Buzz is an investment company with a mission to support talented young people in their careers. Carlin Buzz Racing therefore are thrilled to welcome 18-year-old Natori to the team off the back of a brilliant campaign in the Japanese Formula Four Championship. Natori finished the 2018 season as Vice Champion clinching three victories, 11 podiums and four pole positions throughout the 14 races on offer.

Mr Daisuke Hasegawa said, “When I was racing, I had many companies and people who supported my career. I made sure that when I established Buzz this philosophy of supporting young people continued and became a mission of ours. I admire what Honda are doing with their young driver programme so wanted to help support their drivers and I’ve got a lot of respect for Trevor Carlin’s philosophy and what he’s achieved; I am very proud to be Carlin Buzz Racing for the 2019 season.”

Team Principal Trevor Carlin said, “We’re extremely proud to be carrying the Buzz name and colours on our FIA F3 race cars for the 2019 season. We had a great experience working together for the 2018 Macau Grand Prix and hope this is a relationship that can continue in the future.

“We also welcome Teppei to the team for the upcoming season following what has been a strong year racing in the Japanese Formula 4 Championship. Teppei already knows how to fight for wins and podiums so we look forward to working together and hitting the ground running during testing ahead of the first race in May.”

Natori said, “I am very excited to be the part of Carlin Buzz Racing in the FIA Formula 3 Championship. There will be a lot to learn this season, but we will fight hard together for the championship with the aim of becoming an F1 driver in the future.”