Another unforgettable season on the agenda?

[davewilson]

The popularity of the Bridgestone-shod GP2 Series goes from strength to strength, with more teams and drivers seeking places on this year's grid than ever before.  Some big names from Formula 3 are either making or looking to make the step up in 2007 - Euro F3 champ Paul di Resta, Bruno Senna, British F3 champ Mike Conway - and some ex-F1 drivers hope to use the Series' popularity to revamp their careers. On top of that, two hugely successful F3 teams (Carlin Motorsport and Manor Motorsport) are searching for ways to join the ranks.

But, irrespective of the amount of interest from drivers and new teams, the regulations stipulate a maximum of 26 cars (13 teams) on the grid.

The popularity of GP2 among its competitors is mirrored by its appeal to the media and to spectators. Following its hugely successful debut season in 2005, GP2 was awarded Autosport's Innovation Award, and this year it has won Autocar's award for Best Motorsport.

"If every race formula could produce the close racing, banzai passing manoeuvres and sheer spectacle that we've had from GP2 this year," said a statement from Autocar, "the whole of motorsport would benefit. Even the experts can't say exactly why this new F1 support formula is better than the long-lived but charisma-free F3000 that preceded it, but everyone agrees that it is.”

"Some cite the two-race format, some say it's the equal spec of the Dallara chassis and Renault V8s, and some say it's the ideal aero package of the cars, which allows them to dice much closer than the F1 breed without conceding downforce. It's probably a combination of all these things, and thus a tribute to its creators, among them Renault and Mecachrome for the engines, Dallara and Bridgestone for the chassis and rubber. Now we know where to look for the stars of tomorrow."

The stars of '06 were undoubtedly champion Lewis Hamilton and runner-up Nelson Piquet. Both drivers will graduate to Formula 1 in 2007, with Hamilton racing for McLaren after receiving accolades at the Autosport Awards, and Piquet with Renault as their new third man.

 

Looking ahead to 2007, some exciting aero and engine modifications look set to make the cars more demanding and exciting than ever, and predicting a winner will be difficult. But that's what will make this year another unforgettable season for the GP2 Series.

The Stig