The GP2 Series has become an intercontinental championship as the European and the Asian championship merged into a single series. The new season starts this weekend at Sepang, Malaysia.
This year, the drivers will have the choice between prime and option (soft) tires, as it already exists in Formula 1. Each driver will be allocated three set of prime, and one set of option tires for a full meeting.
Thirteen teams will participate in the 2012 championship, each of them running two drivers. Amongst the favorites is 2010 GP3 champion Esteban Gutierrez, who made an impressive debut in GP2 last year. The Mexican is still part of the ART team, newly renamed Lotus GP. Gutierrez was impressive during the winter tests, and is probably the main favourite for this year’s title.
After it claimed the title last year with Romain Grosjean, team DAMS looks to repeat its winning performance. The most experienced GP2 driver, Davide Valsecchi (who is about to start his fifth season in the series) will be also amongst the favorites.
iSport's driver Marcus Ericsson will also be to watch. The Swede enjoyed a strong season last year, and was also impressive during the winter tests. Finally, Giedo Van der Garde will be also one of the men to beat. The Dutchman will run under Caterham’s colours, a team with which he is involved in Formula One as a reserve driver.
Several rookies are expected to fight at the top of the field. Reigning British F3 champion Felipe Nasr (DAMS), Lotus GP driver James Calado and Frenchman Tom Dillmann (Rapax) already showed their pace during the winter tests.
This year, the drivers will have the choice between prime and option (soft) tires, as it already exists in Formula 1. Each driver will be allocated three set of prime, and one set of option tires for a full meeting.
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| Esteban Gutierrez (Photo: GP2) |
Thirteen teams will participate in the 2012 championship, each of them running two drivers. Amongst the favorites is 2010 GP3 champion Esteban Gutierrez, who made an impressive debut in GP2 last year. The Mexican is still part of the ART team, newly renamed Lotus GP. Gutierrez was impressive during the winter tests, and is probably the main favourite for this year’s title.
After it claimed the title last year with Romain Grosjean, team DAMS looks to repeat its winning performance. The most experienced GP2 driver, Davide Valsecchi (who is about to start his fifth season in the series) will be also amongst the favorites.
iSport's driver Marcus Ericsson will also be to watch. The Swede enjoyed a strong season last year, and was also impressive during the winter tests. Finally, Giedo Van der Garde will be also one of the men to beat. The Dutchman will run under Caterham’s colours, a team with which he is involved in Formula One as a reserve driver.
Several rookies are expected to fight at the top of the field. Reigning British F3 champion Felipe Nasr (DAMS), Lotus GP driver James Calado and Frenchman Tom Dillmann (Rapax) already showed their pace during the winter tests.