|
|
GP2 Features & Interviews (2005)
GP2 testing continues in earnest
01/04/2005
The new Bridgestone-supported GP2 series is continuing its build-up to the season in frantic style with 24 competitors preparing for a face-off at the Paul Ricard circuit in France next week.
The series, which has enticed a whole host of talented young drivers onto its grid, will launch officially on April 6 after a number of pre-season tests. The drivers will be put into action immediately.
As this inaugural series has no previous competition to rely on for qualification procedures, the organisers have created a unique testing challenge in which drivers will 'qualify' to obtain their car numbers for the season.
This friendly, and relaxed, event will be far from easy-going when the drivers get on track. The competition to run with the number one on the car will have the youngsters eagerly pushing to the maximum.
They have already been busy with the 12 teams at the French circuit and enjoyed a successful test that saw the total mileage fly past the 10,000 kilometres mark.
More than 2,500 laps of the circuit were run over three days as the teams tried out all sorts of levels of running from full 'race spec' to light qualifying trim and the lap times tumbled all the time.
The first day saw 907 laps completed, 975 laps were completed on day two, as the organisers used a short course, before expanding the track to a longer layout after lunch on the third day.
The iSport International team clocked the fastest time of the test with a lap of 1:18.811 on day three while BCN Competicion was just nine-tenths of a second slower with a time set on day two.
Durango completed the most laps, finishing on a total of 259, but finished down in 11th place on the time-sheets while Hitech Piquet Sports, who finished fifth, were the next longest runners on 229 laps.
American Scot Speed set the fastest lap for iSport and Team Principal Paul Jackson said: "The test has been very productive, working on various set-ups and modifications."
Speed was thrilled with his performance and is hoping to take his pace to Paul Ricard in the chase for the number one starting number as the build-up to the series launch intensifies.
"The car was awesome," said Speed. "It was unexpected for both myself and the team to leave in the top spot. I'm really looking forward to our next event.
"The three-day test session at Paul Ricard is going to be good and on the final day, when we qualify for our race numbers for the season, we expect to get a great number!"
The series will begin on April 24, when it supports the Formula One event in which Bridgestone will be running with Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, Jordan Grand Prix and the Minardi Formula One team at the San Marino Grand Prix.
The championship takes in 12 rounds as it follows the Grand Prix circus and it will finish with a spectacular finale in the Middle East desert Kingdom of Bahrain.
Series organiser Bruno Michel said: "I'm very pleased with the result of this second test session and the evolutions that we have made to the cars since the initial shakedown.
"I have once again been impressed by the professionalism of all our teams. The consistently fast lap times and the high mileage covered show how well they've all worked with their new car."
The teams have now started to receive their second cars and testing will resume at Paul Ricard on April 4 with each team now able to run both their cars as they prepare for their debut in San Marino.
(© Collings, 29 03 05)
Source: GP2 Series
|
|