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GP2 Series Championship

The GP2 Series was set up in 2005 to replace the Formula 3000, which at the time was considered to be the last step towards Formula 1. This category was created to run parallel with the Formula 1, racing on the same circuits, the same weekends as the “Great Circus”.

Since the GP2 Series was created 7 years ago, more than twenty drivers have gone on to form part of Formula 1. The great majority, if we don’t count the younger up and coming drivers, were already in or part of Formula 1 when the championship started in 2005.

This coming season the GP2 Series will be made up of twelve events which will run parallel with the Formula 1 Grand Prix races and this year will include the Malaysia, Barheim (2 dates) and Singapore GP,s.

The GP2 Series is a one-make championship consisting of 26 identical cars which are renewed after a three year period. The chassis are designed by Dallara Automobili, and in 2012 will run under the specification GP2/11. The power base is a Mecachrome assembled 4L Renault V8 engine with 612 CV (10.000 rpm)

The GP2 Series uses slick Pirelli tyres in four specifications (super soft, soft, medium and hard) which are predetermined by Pirelli in advance of the race weekend. In a change of regulations in 2012, each driver has four sets of dry-weather tyres per weekend – three of “prime” specification and one of “option” specification (in Monaco, there will be two of “prime” specification and two of “option” provided per driver). Each driver will also be provided with three sets of wet-weather tyres.

As always, teams and drivers will have to keep one fresh set of prime for the Sunday Sprint Race. However, they will be able to choose between the remaining two sets of “prime” and the one set of “option” to use either during Free Practice, Qualifying and/or the Saturday Race.

No individual developments or upgrades are permitted in the series, and all spare parts must be purchased directly from the GP2 Series. Repairs of structural components must be carried out by Dallara in order to ensure integrity.

Weekend format and points allocation

A race weekend is composed of one half hour practice session and one half hour qualifying session, followed by two races one on Saturday and the second on Sunday morning just before the Formula 1 race. This season in Spain “ANTENA 3” channel will have TV rights for the GP2.

The qualifying session is a straight fight for fastest laptime, and determines the order of the grid for Race 1. In a change of regulations in 2012, four points are awarded for pole position.

Race 1 is run over 170km or 60 minutes, The compulsory pit-stop during Race One remains in which a minimum of two tyres must be changed. This pit stop may not be carried out until the driver has completed six laps.

In a change of regulations in 2012, the top ten drivers score points (25, 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, 1) with two points being awarded to the driver who set the fastest lap of the race.

The grid for Race 2 is determined by the finishing order of the first race, with the top 8 positions reversed. Race 2 is run over 120km or 45 minutes, with no pitstops allowed.
In a change of regulations in 2012, the top eight finishers score points (15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, 1) and the driver who sets the fastest lap scores two points.

Any driver who is not classified in the top ten positions at the end of the race or, didn’t start the race from his normal grid position or, changed tyres during race two at a time when climatic conditions did not necessitate the use of a different specification of tyre, will not be eligible for points awarded for fastest lap.