GP2 Asia series

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GP2 Asia series
Formula GP2 Asia Logo.svg
Vehicle type Formula cars
Country or region Asia
First season 2008
Last season 2011
chassis Dallara
tires Bridgestone / Pirelli

The GP2 Asia series was a motorsport racing series that was launched in 2008 alongside the European GP2 series . This racing series drove on the Asian continent in the winter months. After the end of the 2011 season , the series was discontinued.

Sporting regulations

The regulations of the GP2-Asia series were structured analogously to those of the GP2 series.

Course of the race weekend

On a GP2 Asia weekend, one race each was held on Saturday and Sunday. After 30 minutes of free practice on Friday, a 30-minute qualifying also decided on the starting grid for the first race on Saturday, which was held over 180 kilometers. The starting grid for the second race on Sunday over a distance of 80 kilometers resulted from the result of the first race, with the first eight drivers starting in reverse order.

Distribution of points

The point evaluation was based on the point system that was used in Formula 1 until 2009. The first place received ten, the second eight, the third six points, up to the eighth place who received one point. In addition, additional points were distributed: the pole setter of the first race received two bonus counters. In each race, another point was awarded for the driver with the fastest lap time within the top 10. The maximum number of points that a racing driver could achieve per race weekend was 20 points.

Overview:

  • Pole position in the main race: 2 points
  • Main race: 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 for the best 8
  • Sprint races: 6-5-4-3-2-1 for the best 6
  • Fastest lap: 1 point per race (The point was only awarded within the first ten pilots.)

Drivers and teams

Since the GP2 Asia series was created to support Asian drivers, the teams agreed in the first season to use at least one driver who does not come from Western Europe or America. Eight of the 13 teams adhered to this agreement, with Trident Racing and BCN Competición even using two other drivers.

In the first three seasons, the 13 teams consisted of 12 teams from the regular GP2 series (except Racing Engineering ) and the Qi-Meritus Mahara team from Malaysia. Last season both the chassis and the teams were identical to those of the GP2 series.

technology

All technology was also from the main series. However, the engines were limited in the first season in order to increase their service life. Other cost-saving measures have also been taken to make it more affordable for the teams to compete in both series.

chassis

Uniform technology is used in the racing series, which is much more cost-effective than Formula 1. In appearance, technology and performance, however, the GP2 monoposti were very similar to the Formula 1 cars. The chassis were made by the Italian company Dallara . The GP2 / 05 racing car was used from 2008 to 2010. In 2011, the GP2 Asia series used the GP2 / 11 racing car that was also used in the GP2 series.

engine and gears

The 4.0-liter V8 engines from Renault were designed to withstand a full GP2 season. They had about 600 hp. The lap times of the GP2 cars in the race were up to 10 seconds higher than those of Formula 1, depending on the track profile. The gearboxes were based on those used by Team Prost . They were considered too heavy and make for a pronounced tail-heaviness. In addition, there were difficulties when starting up, which often caused engines to stall when starting from a standing position. It was switched using a rocker on the steering wheel. Additional driving aids such as power steering or traction control were prohibited.

tires

Standard tires from the tire manufacturer Bridgestone (2008–2010) and Pirelli (2011) were used as tires . These were slicks .

master

year master Points Second Points Third Points Best team Points
0000 /2008 FranceFrance Romain Grosjean 61 SwitzerlandSwitzerland Sébastien Buemi 37 RussiaRussia Vitaly Petrov 33 FranceFrance ART Grand Prix 60
2008/09 JapanJapan Kamui Kobayashi 56 BelgiumBelgium Jérôme D'Ambrosio 36 SpainSpain Roldán Rodríguez 35 FranceFrance DAMS 92
2009/10 ItalyItaly Davide Valsecchi 56 ItalyItaly Luca Filippi 29 ItalyItaly Giacomo Ricci 29 United KingdomUnited Kingdom iSport International 73
0000 /2011 FranceFrance Romain Grosjean 24 FranceFrance Jules Bianchi 18th NetherlandsNetherlands Giedo van der Garde 16 FranceFrance DAMS 25th

Individual evidence

  1. ^ "GP2 and GP2 Asia are merging" (Motorsport-Total.com on July 12, 2011)