- Red Bull
Stoneman becomes Red Bull junior driver
Red Bull has signed Dean Stoneman and Callum Ilott to join Pierre Gasly in its junior team.
Stoneman will move up from GP3 to race in Formula Renault 3.5 with DAMS while Ilott steps up to Formula 3. Gasly will remain in GP2 but will move to DAMS where he will partner Williams reserve driver Alex Lynn, who is no longer a member of the Red Bull junior team despite winning GP3 last year.
Stoneman, who returned to single seater racing in 2013 after beating testicular cancer in 2011, impressed last year with his first full season in GP3. Despite switching teams for the final two rounds following the demise of the Marussia GP3 team, he finished second to Lynn after taking five victories over the course of the year.
"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," Stoneman said. "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, plenty of time in the SIM before track testing starts in about 8 weeks.
"I'm aiming very high, Carlos [Sainz, Toro Rosso driver] came from GP3 to World Series and won with DAMS last year. I think I showed last year in GP3 what I can do so I have no reason not to jump into Renault 3.5 and do well, get on the podium early and start racking up the points."
Gasly added: "I'm sure it's going to be a great year, it's fantastic to continue in the Red Bull Junior team and we have a great GP2 programme with DAMS. They were the team I wanted to be with and as soon as I tested with them in Abu Dhabi at the end of last year it really boosted my confidence. We hit it off straight away, I felt at home so I was on the pace from day one."
Ilott said: "Being in the Red Bull Junior Team is a privilege, you just have to look at the history of the drivers that have gone before. 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. There are a lot of experienced people around me to learn from and it gets better every time I go out.
"This is my first open wheel race series and I am trying to learn as quickly as possible. I think it will be a good preparation for the F3. This car has less downforce and a bit less power but it is close enough to help."
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