Former Formula One driver Max Chilton will reunite with British race team Carlin in a joint development program ahead of Carlin's 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series ambitions.

Chilton, a race winner with Carlin in GP2 and British Formula 3, will assist with Carlin’s first-year preparations for the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires season, with an opportunity for the native of Reigate, England, to test for the 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series season.

Chilton, who turns 24 on April 21, competed in 35 F1 races (best finish of 13th) over two seasons with the Marussia F1 team.

"I'm very excited to be assisting Carlin in the USA,” Chilton said. “While I’m still considering my options for 2015, the IndyCar package presents an interesting challenge and by assisting with the development of the Indy Lights team I’m keeping my options open for an IndyCar program in 2016 based on a strong foundation of knowledge and experience. Hopefully, I can also help the guys at Carlin get as much as possible out of their first season in the USA."

Chilton will join Carlin driver Ed Jones in using his experience to provide feedback to the Indy Lights team while also building the team's INDYCAR foundation. Chilton will participate in testing next week on the Homestead-Miami Speedway road course and oval.

"We are very excited to embark on a long-term program in America and to have Max involved in that from the very start will make us a strong package,” team owner Trevor Carlin said. “This season is very much about finding our feet as a team in the USA and Max's experience will be invaluable to that. For Max, we see 2015 very much as a chance to prepare him for a successful potential debut in IndyCar in 2016 and it made sense to help each other in those preparations.

"He's very humble in his approach, and is very keen to test the car and learn about the series and racing in America."