GP3 champion Alex Lynn will step up to the GP2 Series in 2015 with significant support from Pirelli, official tyre supplier to the two Formula One feeder categories.
Lynn, a 21-year-old from Great Britain, will receive a 200,000 Euros career progression incentive from Pirelli as his prize for capturing the GP3 crown last season. He has used the financial boost to help secure a drive with the French DAMS squad, which guided Jolyon Palmer to 2014 GP2 glory on Pirelli tyres.
DAMS, founded in 1989 by Jean-Paul Driot, is one of the most respected teams competing at sub-Formula One level. It has also signed Pierre Gasly as Lynn’s team-mate for 2015 when both drivers will be expected to challenge for the coveted title, won in the past by Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.
Paul Hembery, Pirelli’s motorsport director, said: “We are delighted that Alex Lynn has made the logical progression from GP3 champion to GP2 contender with Pirelli. His performances in 2014 underlined his potential and we are excited by the prospect of watching him take the next step of his career using Pirelli tyres, and pleased that we have been able to make a valuable contribution to his racing campaign for 2015.”
Lynn described the Pirelli backing as “significant”, adding: “It’s obviously a nice help and alongside my sponsorship it’s an important step. It’s also good that you can get help to go from GP3 into GP2.”
Launched in 2005, the GP2 Series is a one-make single-seater championship that has become the acknowledged stepping-stone to Formula One. Pirelli has been its exclusive supplier of tyres since 2011.
Twenty-six talented drivers will race identical Pirelli-equipped Dallara cars, powered by V8 Renault engines. This year’s GP2 tyres are the same as those successfully used last season in terms of compound and construction, designed to help prepare young drivers for Formula One.
The GP2 Series adopts a similar points system to Formula One and features closely aligned tyre regulations. The GP2 teams and drivers will have at their disposal two different types of Pirelli P Zero slicks to use during a race weekend, just like Formula One. The same colour markings used in Formula One will also be applied in GP2.
This year’s GP2 Series begins at the Sakhir International Circuit in Bahrain from April 17-19. There are eight rounds in total, all supporting Formula One grands prix. The first of two pre-season tests takes place at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi from March 9-11.
