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Heritage
GP2
Bridgestone's role as sole tyre supplier was an important factor in the spectacular success enjoyed by the GP2 series in its maiden year in 2005 when it replaced F3000 as the support act to F1.
There were 10 different winners in the 23 races with Germany's Nico Rosberg eventually being crowned the inaugural champion. Rosberg's success immediately ensured his graduation into F1 for 2006 as partner to Mark Webber at a Williams team which has switched to Bridgestone tyres.
Rosberg was one of three sons of former world champions who lined-up at Imola in Italy last April for the first race. Nico, whose father Keke was champion in 1982, joined Nelson Piquet and Mathias Lauda - sons of Nelson and Niki respectively.
Flying Finn Heikki Kovalainen made history by winning the first race for the Arden International team but it was Rosberg's ART Grand Prix outfit that would dominate as the season progressed. Rosberg and team-mate Alexandre Premat took five wins in 12 race weekends to set-up a season-finale decider in Bahrain - the only round not to support an F1 race - which Rosberg dominated to clinch the title.
The 2006 GP2 Series provided viewers with a second year of enthralling and close racing. Drivers faced fresh challenges with new set-up possibilities and new sporting regulations all aimed at improving competition. One of the biggest changes for the 2006 season however was the switch from Bridgestone grooved to slick tyres, increasing racing speeds by up to three seconds.
Throughout the 21-race season Lewis Hamilton and Nelson Piquet Jr battled it out for the top spot, with the two drivers often switching between first and second place. Hamilton eventually clinched the Bridgestone-shod GP2 series in a nail-biting finale at Monza taking home a $100,000 prize, ending the season long standoff.
Winner Lewis Hamilton has been confirmed as the sixth GP2 driver to take the step up into Formula 1 joining the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team, whilst runner-up Nelson Piquet Jr has also been confirmed as a 2007 test driver for the ING Renault F1 team. Moves like these confirm the GP2 series as the world’s leading feeder to Formula 1.
Looking ahead to 2007, Bridgestone will still be the sole tyre supplier to the GP2 series. With the new year comes some exciting engine and aero modifications, making the cars even more demanding and exciting than before. Predicting a winner for 2007 will be difficult.
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