When Carlin announced that they would be setting up operations in the US starting an Indy Lights team, the motor sport community took notice of a team which such a rich heritage of success throughout a number of junior and feeder series jumping to try the new IL15 car. It turned out to be a smart move as we caught up with drivers Ed Jones and Max Chilton to look back at the 2015 season.
Ed Jones
| Races: 16/16 Wins: 3 (St Pete x 2, Long Beach) Podiums: 7 Poles: 3 Points: 324 Championship: 3rd Twitter: @edjonesracing |  Ed Jones (indylights.com) |
How would you evaluate your first year of racing in America in Indy Lights?
I think my first year of racing in America has been a great success. Both myself and the team learning the new tracks and car made the challenge difficult but we certainly surprised a lot of people. I believe experience of the circuits in America has a much greater benefit than knowing the European tracks, purely because there is hardly any run off in America therefore you have to build up to the limit rather than going all out from the start like you do in Europe. You have to take a more measured approach all round, especially with the ovals which we got the hang of towards the end of the season.
I think my first year of racing in America has been a great success. Both myself and the team learning the new tracks and car made the challenge difficult but we certainly surprised a lot of people. I believe experience of the circuits in America has a much greater benefit than knowing the European tracks, purely because there is hardly any run off in America therefore you have to build up to the limit rather than going all out from the start like you do in Europe. You have to take a more measured approach all round, especially with the ovals which we got the hang of towards the end of the season.
Leading Jack Harvey into turn one at St Petersburg (indylights.com)
How did the car and series compare to your previous experiences moving up ladders in Formula Renault and Formula 3?
The car felt like the logical step from the previous series I have driven in. A good amount of power compared to grip. I feel the championship was very competitive at the front as all series are. I particularly enjoyed having the mix between street courses, ovals and road courses, it was really enjoyable having to change race by race.
Did you expect the season to start so well with three wins at St Petersburg and Long Beach?
Of course going into the season I was confident with our preparations and potential however you can never expect to have start like we did, it was the dream start.
You had the chance to run at circuits for the first time in your career, which of these stood out for you?
For me Long Beach was my favourite, the track is great to drive and atmosphere is amazing with so much history around the circuit. Plus I won there so that always helps!
In August you had the opportunity to test in Indycar at Sonoma with RLL, how did the test go for you and what are your thoughts on the car to drive?
The opportunity to test for RLL in Indycar took me by surprise when I got the call. After only racing in America for 4 months it was amazing to already have a chance at the pinnacle of the sport. I feel the test went extremely well and I tried to assist the team as much as I could. The Indycar itself was very impressive, most outstanding was the amount of aero and grip produced by the car in the high speed corners just on a complete different level to anything else I have ever driven.
The car felt like the logical step from the previous series I have driven in. A good amount of power compared to grip. I feel the championship was very competitive at the front as all series are. I particularly enjoyed having the mix between street courses, ovals and road courses, it was really enjoyable having to change race by race.
Did you expect the season to start so well with three wins at St Petersburg and Long Beach?
Of course going into the season I was confident with our preparations and potential however you can never expect to have start like we did, it was the dream start.
You had the chance to run at circuits for the first time in your career, which of these stood out for you?
For me Long Beach was my favourite, the track is great to drive and atmosphere is amazing with so much history around the circuit. Plus I won there so that always helps!
In August you had the opportunity to test in Indycar at Sonoma with RLL, how did the test go for you and what are your thoughts on the car to drive?
The opportunity to test for RLL in Indycar took me by surprise when I got the call. After only racing in America for 4 months it was amazing to already have a chance at the pinnacle of the sport. I feel the test went extremely well and I tried to assist the team as much as I could. The Indycar itself was very impressive, most outstanding was the amount of aero and grip produced by the car in the high speed corners just on a complete different level to anything else I have ever driven.
Testing the #15 RLL at Sonoma (www.dubaiautodrome.com)
And finally, what have you taken from the 2015 season and what is your goal as we head into 2016?
This season I have learnt the fantastic opportunities racing in America provides and my potential to be in Indycar in the very near future. It really was a learning year for myself which I took full advantage of. Obviously it was a great shame to lose the championship right down to the last race but nevertheless we proved a lot. 2016 is still undecided for me as we look at our options and decide what the best move for my career is.
Ed Jones has since committed to a second season in Indy Lights with Carlin
This season I have learnt the fantastic opportunities racing in America provides and my potential to be in Indycar in the very near future. It really was a learning year for myself which I took full advantage of. Obviously it was a great shame to lose the championship right down to the last race but nevertheless we proved a lot. 2016 is still undecided for me as we look at our options and decide what the best move for my career is.
Ed Jones has since committed to a second season in Indy Lights with Carlin
Max Chilton
 Max Chilton (indylights.com) |
How would you evaluate your first year of racing in America in Indy Lights?
I would say that the team and myself have performed hugely well in our first season in the states. It's a small but competitive grid and made harder by the unfamiliar ovals. I was very happy to secure a win which was a surprise to me as because it came on an oval. I believe if I had contested the whole year then we would have had two cars in the title fight at the end.
The Iowa weekend was tough being a team mate of Jules Bianchi, I, as were many, of the opinion no one was going to get in the way of you winning that weekend, can you share some thoughts of the weekend bringing home your first victory in Indy Lights?
Iowa was the most difficult and emotional weekend I have ever experienced in my career. I was on a mission that weekend and when I found out the news about Jules nothing was going to stop me. I couldn't help but let it out when I won and it was a pleasure to dedicate the win to such a talented driver who loved the sport
I would say that the team and myself have performed hugely well in our first season in the states. It's a small but competitive grid and made harder by the unfamiliar ovals. I was very happy to secure a win which was a surprise to me as because it came on an oval. I believe if I had contested the whole year then we would have had two cars in the title fight at the end.
The Iowa weekend was tough being a team mate of Jules Bianchi, I, as were many, of the opinion no one was going to get in the way of you winning that weekend, can you share some thoughts of the weekend bringing home your first victory in Indy Lights?
Iowa was the most difficult and emotional weekend I have ever experienced in my career. I was on a mission that weekend and when I found out the news about Jules nothing was going to stop me. I couldn't help but let it out when I won and it was a pleasure to dedicate the win to such a talented driver who loved the sport
A win at Iowa on a tough weekend (indylights.com)
You had the chance to run at tracks for the first time in your career, which of these stood out for you?
I have experienced some fantastic circuits this year and have really enjoyed the difference between those that I am used to on the F1 calendar. The American road courses have a really pure feeling to them because there is grass, a white line and Tarmac so you get none of the modern elements which leads to a debate over track limits. My favourite I think has to be Barber Motorsports Park.
How about the competition in the series, as well as the fan interaction and experience compared to that of F1 and their feeder series?
The championship is very competitive yet a small field. The series is very well supported by Indy Car and is helped by being on the same event as them at the majority of rounds. I really admire the Road to Indy scheme that they run and it has a really clear road to the top. The fans have been amazing as well and the support I’ve received has been really great and really appreciated – it’s another thing that the championship seem to do very well.
This year you also had commitments to Nissan in WEC, but looking to 2016 do you still see yourself competing in single-seaters be that in Indy Lights or in Indycar?
I haven't yet made any decisions on my 2016 plans but I’m looking at my options at the moment.
I have experienced some fantastic circuits this year and have really enjoyed the difference between those that I am used to on the F1 calendar. The American road courses have a really pure feeling to them because there is grass, a white line and Tarmac so you get none of the modern elements which leads to a debate over track limits. My favourite I think has to be Barber Motorsports Park.
How about the competition in the series, as well as the fan interaction and experience compared to that of F1 and their feeder series?
The championship is very competitive yet a small field. The series is very well supported by Indy Car and is helped by being on the same event as them at the majority of rounds. I really admire the Road to Indy scheme that they run and it has a really clear road to the top. The fans have been amazing as well and the support I’ve received has been really great and really appreciated – it’s another thing that the championship seem to do very well.
This year you also had commitments to Nissan in WEC, but looking to 2016 do you still see yourself competing in single-seaters be that in Indy Lights or in Indycar?
I haven't yet made any decisions on my 2016 plans but I’m looking at my options at the moment.
Victory lane at Iowa Speedway (indylights.com)
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