GP2 Series: The Budding Ground of F1 Champions

Many people might be wondering how a driver gets a Formula 1 seat. Some say that it is because of the millions of dollars they bring into the team from sponsors. To some extent, it is right, but over time (say the last 5 years) this has changed. Money is still there but apart from that a driver has to show his driving abilities in the lower class of motor racing. To make sure that the drivers should be capable enough before coming to Formula 1 they have to prove their mettle in the GP2 which is now considered as a feeder series of Formula 1.

Before going further ahead, let’s know what GP2 is. It is a form of open wheel motor racing which was introduced in 2005. This racing series was started by Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore by replacing Formula 3000 which remained the feeder series for very long time. GP2 is considered as a perfect training ground for the young racers because it almost gives the same environment to the racers which they get in Formula like the Marshals, Medical facilities and the most important Formula 1 tracks.

GP2 follows the same calendar which Formula 1 follows. Every European Formula 1 race is accompanied by the GP2 series race. However, in Asia only in Bahrain International Circuit GP2 race was held in 2005 and 2007. As GP2 gives the racers a feel of Formula 1 environment, many drivers have used it as a stepping stone to come into Formula 1.

Since this series started, many drivers from Lewis Hamilton to Maldonado have graduated to F1 from GP2. In 2006 Nico Rosberg got the racing seat with the Williams Formula 1 team after winning the GP2 series crown in 2005. He is now driving for Mercedes GP along with Michael Schumacher. The former world champion Lewis Hamilton is also a GP2 graduate as he broke into Formula1 after winning the crown in 2006. Timo Glock, Heikki Kovalainen, Nelson Piquet Jr. were some of the drivers which makes into Formula 1 during initial stage of the championship.

The new faces in the F1 paddock from the GP2 are Karun Chandhok, Bruno Senna, Vitaly Petrov, Kamui Kobayashi, Jerome D’Ambrosio and Lucas Di Grassi . Some are reserve drivers who have driven earlier with a few teams whereas some like Petrov have become regular podium contenders in recent times. Karun Chandok is the first Indian driver who has graduated from GP2 to Formula 1. He drove for HRT in 2010 season after a strong outing in GP2 from 2007-2009 with not so competitive car. Currently, he is a reserve driver for Team Lotus.

GP2 has become a budding ground of Formula 1 drivers just not because of the tracks and facilities but also because of the technology which is involved in it. GP2 series uses almost similar technology which is used by the Formula 1 teams. However, GP2 teams don’t develop their own chassis and engines, the chassis of GP2 cars are developed by Dallara. Dallara has now developed a third generation Chassis for all GP2 teams for the 2011 season. All cars in the series use similar Renault V8 engines at the back which produce about 580 hp (432.5 kW) and are rev-limited to 10,000 rpm. Just like Formula 1, GP2’s sole tyre supplier is Pirelli who has replaced Bridgestone which supplied tyres to the teams earlier.

Unlike Formula 1, the points system is different in GP2 series where it is very difficult to score points. The practice and qualifying time is also very limited which makes the driver push himself to the limits. On Friday, a driver gets only 30 minutes free practice session and then the practice session is followed by a 30 minute qualifying session. Based on qualifying, the grid position is decided for 180 kilometer long Saturday’s race. In the race it is mandatory for each driver to make at-least one pit stop in which minimum of two tyres have to be changed.

The Saturday’s race is followed by a 120 km long sprint race. For the sprint race, the grid is decided on the basis of Saturday’s race in which the first eight places of the grid are reversed i.e. the eighth positioned driver will start the race from the front and the first will start from eight place. The alteration in the starting grid makes it really difficult for the drivers to score points.

The difficulties which are present in GP2 in terms of scoring points and the exposure which the series have given in the past continues to give to the young drivers who have made their name big in the pinnacle of motorsports is amazing. Lewis Hamilton won GP2 series and subsequently the Formula 1 World Championship, thus earning his ticket to fame and making history. As the series progresses, there are many drivers coming up with similar feats. Till now 18 drivers have graduated to Formula 1 from GP2 and many more are in the making.

Drivers which have graduated to Formula 1 from GP2

Nico Rosberg-2006Heikki Kovalainen-2007Scott Speed-2006Lewis Hamilton-2007Nelson Piquet Jr.-2008Timo Glock-2008Kazuki Nakajima- 2007Bruno Senna- 2010Sebastian Buemi- 2009Nico Hulkenberg- 2010Vitaly Petrov-2010Lucas di Grassi-2010Kamui Kobayashi-2009Karun Chandok-2010Pastor Maldonado-2011Sergio Perez-2011Jerome d’Ambrosio- 2011Romain Grosjean-2009