Here's a review of the 2011 season of the main European single seater series with an rough estimation of the chances to see the newly crowned champion graduate to Formula 1 in the near future.
GP2
Chassis: Dallara - Engine: Renault V8 (580 bhp) - Tires: Bridgestone
Champion: Romain Grosjean (French, 25). Chances to make it to F1: 4/5.
Since its inception back in 2005, every GP2 series' champion has made it to F1 - with the exception of Giorgio Pantano. Nico Rosberg (2005), Lewis Hamilton (2006), Timo Glock (2007), Nico Hülkenberg (2009) and Pastor Maldonado (2010) graduated to F1. Romain Grosjean has a chance to race for the Lotus team in 2012, or with another small team.
Formula Renault 3.5
Chassis: Dallara - Engine: Nissan V6 (480 bhp) - Tires: Michelin
Champion: Robert Wickens (Canadian, 22). Chances to make it to F1: 4/5.
The Renault 3.5 series costs massively less money than the GP2. Former Renault 3.5 competitors such as Robert Kubica and Sebastian Vettel made it straight to F1. This year, Jean-Eric Vergne and Robert Wickens had a fantastic battle for the title, with the Canadian taking the title at the last race. Wickens should race in the GP2 series in 2012 and remain Marussia F1 Team reserve driver.
GP2
Chassis: Dallara - Engine: Renault V8 (580 bhp) - Tires: Bridgestone
Champion: Romain Grosjean (French, 25). Chances to make it to F1: 4/5.
Since its inception back in 2005, every GP2 series' champion has made it to F1 - with the exception of Giorgio Pantano. Nico Rosberg (2005), Lewis Hamilton (2006), Timo Glock (2007), Nico Hülkenberg (2009) and Pastor Maldonado (2010) graduated to F1. Romain Grosjean has a chance to race for the Lotus team in 2012, or with another small team.
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| Romain Grosjean, GP2. (Photo: GP2 series) |
Formula Renault 3.5
Chassis: Dallara - Engine: Nissan V6 (480 bhp) - Tires: Michelin
Champion: Robert Wickens (Canadian, 22). Chances to make it to F1: 4/5.
The Renault 3.5 series costs massively less money than the GP2. Former Renault 3.5 competitors such as Robert Kubica and Sebastian Vettel made it straight to F1. This year, Jean-Eric Vergne and Robert Wickens had a fantastic battle for the title, with the Canadian taking the title at the last race. Wickens should race in the GP2 series in 2012 and remain Marussia F1 Team reserve driver.
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| Robert Wickens, Formula Renault 3.5. (Photo: Renault) |