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GP2 Features & Interviews (2006)
GP2 Feature - What's Ahead In 2007
13/10/2006
With the first of GP2’s winter test sessions recently completed, the organisers are finalising the technical specification of next year’s cars.
The Series’ primary suppliers – Dallara, Renault and Bridgestone – have been asked to review all aspects of the technical package, ahead of the final regulations being published prior to Christmas.
“We are very pleased with the performance of the Bridgestone Potenza GP2 slick tyre,” says Hirohide Hamashima, Bridgestone’s Director of Motorsport Tyre Development. “It was definitely the right decision to switch to slicks in 2006 because they proved to be an excellent match for the Renault-powered cars.
“Looking back over the season, we are very happy with the three specifications of dry weather tyre, and one super-soft tyre for Monaco that we supplied, and with our compound selections for each race weekend.”
The decision to switch from grooved tyres to slicks was taken in light of F1’s expected return to slicks in 2008. But it was also considered to be advantageous for the drivers.
“It has been good for the drivers to use slicks,” continues Hamashima san. “Young drivers generally have no experience of grooved tyres, so it was another thing for them to learn last year. The stable characteristics of the slick tyres have allowed them to focus on their race craft a bit more.”
Several of this year’s GP2 drivers have already made the step-up to F1. Champion Lewis Hamilton has tested regularly for McLaren, and the series runner-up Nelson Piquet Jnr is doing the same for Renault.
Elsewhere, Alex Premat was third driver for Spyker MF1 in China and Ernesto Viso will fulfil the same job in Brazil next weekend.
“I think there are two drivers that stood out in GP2 this year,” says Hamashima. “They were Lewis Hamilton and Nelson Piquet Jnr. Hamilton’s mentality and perseverance are quite similar to those of Michael Schumacher. He never gave up, and I hope that as he develops as a driver and gains in experience he never loses those attributes.”
Next year’s GP2 stars-in-the-making will test again at Paul Ricard on 31st October, where Bridgestone will continue their development testing of the Potenza slick tyre.
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