GP3 Series is back for its fifth season and what a year this promises to be. The 2014 GP3 campaign will host two new venues with Spielberg (Austria) and Sochi (Russia) – along with the longest calendar in the Series’ history – with a total of nine rounds.
All eyes are focused on the emerging talent from the GP3 category following the superb performances of reigning Champion Daniil Kvyat in his rookie season in Formula 1 with Scuderia Toro Rosso. Again, the Series has delivered in producing another very competitive field with a spectacular blend of experienced GP3 drivers along with eager debutants.
Eight GP3 graduates will be racing in GP2 Series for 2014.
Nine teams will compete in GP3, with new faces Hilmer Motorsport joining the fold. The German squad made a sterling impression in our big sister Series GP2 in their maiden year and will be looking to repeat that success with GP3.
There is one brand new face to GP3 proceedings following the pre-season testing with a second female driver in the field, Beitske Visser will race for Hilmer Motorsport and make her debut in a GP3 car in Friday’s Free Practice.
There has been a few minor technical changes to the second generation GP3 car to further enhance the show for 2014. Firstly the front tyre dimension has been increased by 20mm in width to bring the mechanic grip/balance forward. Secondly the aerodynamic configuration has been changed to make it even easier to follow another car in the tow to further increase over-taking.
Patric Niederhauser//Arden International:
I only have positive things to say about the Barcelona track, I would say it is one of my favourites to drive. For me this place is a bit special as this is where my love of motorsport started when I was eight years old to watch my first Formula 1 race, then ten years later I was racing at the circuit.
This track has everything it needs – it has a very long front straight which is good for overtaking, fast corners like corner 3, difficult corners like corner 9 where it’s really bumpy and you don’t see the exit so you really have to hang on. The last sector is more technical and slower and you need really good grip from the car.
This track is really hard on tyres so it will be a big challenge for us. Last year there was a big drop-off for the tyres but I expect it to be less this weekend with the hard compound. I think there will be good racing here.
THE TIMETABLE:
Friday 9th MayFree Practice: 17.50 - 18.35
Saturday 10th MayQualifying: 09.45 - 10.15Race 1: 17.20
Sunday 11th MayRace 2: 09.25
THE ENTRY LIST:
ART Grand Prix1 - Alex Fontana2 - Marvin Kirchhofer3 - Dino Zamparelli
Arden International4 - Robert Visoiu5 - Patric Niederhauser6 - Jann Mardenborough
Koiranen GP7 - Carmen Jorda8 - Jimmy Eriksson9 - Santiago Urrutia
Carlin10 - Alex Lynn11 - Emil Bernstorff12 - Luis Sa Silva
Marussia Manor Racing14 - Patrick Kujala15 - Ryan Cullen16 - Dean Stoneman
Hilmer Motorsport17 - Ivan Taranov18 - Nelson Mason19 - Beitske Visser
Jenzer Motorsport20 - Pal Varhaug21 - Matheo Tuscher22 - Adderly Fong
Trident23 - Victor Carbone24 - Roman De Beer25 - Denis Nagulin
Status Grand Prix26 - Nick Yelloly27 - Richie Stanaway28 - Alfonso Celis Jr
