Following the pre-season testing last week in Abu Dhabi, the new season of the GP2 Asia Series opens today at Yas Marina Circuit on the 4.730kms layout.
The GP2/11, the third generation car since the Series’ inception, will also make its racing debut.
In the past four test days, the new machine has proved to be reliable and fast, with Jules Bianchi at Lotus ART setting a new track record in a 1:35.940 on the same circuit configuration which will be used this weekend.
The GP2 Asia Series enters in its fourth season after three successful years that saw Romain Grosjean, Kamui Kobayashi and Davide Valsecchi conquer. This time, it will comprise of three rounds one in Abu Dhabi and two in Bahrain, including one round as a support race to the Formula One season opener in March.
The GP2 paddock welcomes two new teams Carlin and Team AirAsia rounding up the number of teams entered for this season to thirteen. Six rookies will compete: Jolyon Palmer at Arden, GP3 Series reigning Champion Esteban Gutierrez at Lotus ART, Pål Varhaug at Dams, Andrea Caldarelli at Ocean Racing, Julian Leal at Rapax and Nathanael Berthon at Racing Engineering.
With ten race winners racing alongside them, including two GP2 Asia Series Champions in the form of Romain Grosjean and Davide Valsecchi, this new season promises to be extremely competitive as shown during pre-season testing when seventeen drivers were running within the same second.
The GP2/11 specificationsDimensions• Overall length: 5065 mm• Overall width: 1800 mm• Overall height: 1072 mm(including FOM roll hoopcamera)• Wheelbase: 3120 mm• Overall weight: 688 kg(driver on-board)Engine• V8 - 4 litre atmospheric- 612 HP @ 10.000 rpm -made by Mecachrome• 8 in 1 exhaust• Fly by wire acceleratorsystem• Rebuild after 4000 to4500 km.• Torque 500Nm @ 8000 rpmPerformances• Acceleration:0 - 100 km/h, 2.90 sec0 - 200 km/h, 6.60 sec• Maximum speed: 332 km/h(Monza aero configuration)• Max. braking deceleration-3.5 G• Max. lateral acceleration+/- 3.9 GMonocoque and Bodywork• Survival cell - SandwichCarbon/aluminiumhoneycomb structuremade by Dallara• Front and rear wing -Carbon structures madeby Dallara• Bodywork - Carbon - Kevlarhoneycomb structuresmade by DallaraSteering system• Non assisted rack and pinionsteering system• XAP steering wheel withdashboard, marshallingdisplay, gear change andclutch paddlesGearbox• 6-speed longitudinalHewland sequential gearbox• Electro-hydraulic commandvia paddle shift from steeringwheel• AP Carbon clutch• No on-board starter,anti-stall system• Non hydraulic rampdifferentialFuel cell• FIA StandardPremier FT5 125 litresElectronic features• Magneti Marelli Marvel 8ECU/GCU including datalogging system• XAP power supplymanagement unit• CAN data acquisitionpre-equipment• F1 EM motorsportMarshalling system• Beacon receiverSuspension• Double steel wishbones,pushrod operated, twindampers and torsion barssuspension (F) and springsuspension (R)• Adjustable ride height,camber and toe• Two way (F) / Four way (R)adjustable Koni dampers• Adjustable anti-roll bar(Front/Rear)Brakes• 6 pistons monoblocBrembo callipers• Hitco carbon-carbon brakediscs and padsWheels and tyres• F1 standard wheel dimensions• O.Z. RacingMagnesium rims13” x 12” front13” x 13.7” rear• GP2 series specific Pirellislick tyres.Safety standards• FIA F1 safety standardsincluding: Front, side, rear andsteering column impact tests• Front and rear roll hoop,impact structures andmonocoque push tests• Anti-intrusion survival cellprotection panels• Wheel retainer safety cables.Extinguisher System• LIFELINE(electrically operated)Camera equipment• Roll hoop, nose cone and faceshot camera pre-equipment.
Weekend format
30 minute Free Practice session30 minute Qualifying sessionRace 1: 180km1 compulsory pit stopminimum of 2 tyres changedRace 2: 120kmno compulsory pit stopsRace 1 grid will be decided byqualifying.Race 2 grid will be the finishing orderof Race 1, but with the top eightpositions reversed.Each driver will be limited to 4 sets ofnew dry tyres per race weekend.
Points allocationRace 1Pole Position 2 pointsChequered flag Top eight finishersscore points10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1Fastest Lap 1 point
Race 2Chequered flag Top six finishersscore points6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1Fastest Lap 1 point
Safety CarThe pitlane remains open throughout safety car periods. When deployed, the SC will pick up the leader or the first car approaching even if it is notthe leader. In that case, all the cars will overtake the SC when it will be considered safe to do sountil the leader is behind the SC. Lapped cars will not be able to unlap themselves.
Pit windowRace 1 mandatory pit stop may not be carried out until the driver has completed 6 laps. No pitstops are permitted in race 2 except in the event of a driver suffering from damage to either car or tyres.
TyresDrivers are limited to four new sets of slick tyres at each event. Bridgestone determines the compound in advance. Each driver must keep one new set of tyres on which he must start race 2. These tyres may not be changed in the second race, except for an occasion when a tyre isdamaged significantly to merit being changed in the name of safety.
Fastest LapThe point for fastest lap in both Race 1 and Race 2 will only be rewarded to a driver who classifies in the top 10 and who has started the race fromthe grid position.
