GP3 inaugurated in Barcelona

With the multiplication of championships car, the GP3 Series appears to be yet another discipline allowing drivers, young or old, to shine. Of course, we can start to get lost and wonder what is the “pathway” to follow for a hopeful in motorsport. Between GP2, FR 3.5, F3, F2, GP3, difficult to find your way around. Despite this multiplicity of offerings, the GP3 Series still managed to bring together ten teams, some of which are renowned, as well as talented drivers.

Among the teams, we find in particular two French teams: ART Grand Prix, which is already active in the F3 Euro Series and the GP2 Series; Tech 1 Racing, present in Formula Renault 3.5 Series and, since this season, in Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 since the resumption of the FR 2.0 activity of SG Formula.

ART Grand Prix, which collects titles in F3 and GP2, has secured the services of drivers with certain experience. Alexander Red, an 18-year-old American, will undoubtedly be the most anticipated. Champion of Formula BMW USA in 2008, Rossi had the opportunity to carry out tests F1 with BMW-Sauber last December. Seen in Formula Master in 2009, he participated in the GP2 Asia Series season, with encouraging results. At his side, he will find the 2008 Formula BMW Europe champion, also present during the BMW-Sauber F1 tests last December, Esteban Gutiérrez. Third driver, Pedro Henrique Nunes drove last year, like Gutiérrez, in the F3 Euro Series.

Second French team, Tech 1 Racing has also hired quality drivers. Starting with Jean-Eric Vergne, who has gained stature in recent months. Runner-up in Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 in 2009, leader of the British F3 championship, the Frenchman would have had to take part in certain Formula Renault 3.5 Series meetings if SG Formula had not given up. Having taken advantage of this start of the season to shine, “JEV” will also be able to show it in this discipline, where everyone starts on equal terms. He will be the teammate of Daniel Juncadella, who has already distinguished himself this year in the F3 Euro Series, and Doru Sechelariu, former Formula BMW Europe driver.

« We are ready and we can count on a very interesting trio of drivers, recognizes Simon Abadie, boss of Tech 1 Racing. Doru is here to learn. He will gain strength as the season progresses. Daniel Juncadella performed well when he rode with us at Paul Ricard. Jean-Éric will have to get his bearings aboard the GP3, but he has the advantage of having already driven more powerful single-seaters, such as the FR 3.5. For the first race, anything is possible, it will be a good opportunity to see where we really are compared to the competition. »

But the competition will be strong, with drivers who could stand out from the crowd, under the eyes of the team managers of the F1 teams. Robert Wickens (Status Grand Prix), James Jakes and Adrian Quaife-Hobbs (Manor Racing), Renger van der Zande (Mucke Motorsport) and Michael Christensen (MW Arden) are among the drivers who can stand out. Other drivers are eagerly awaited, such as Miki Monras (MW Arden), Mirko Bortolotti (Addax Team), Pal Varhaug and Nico Müller (Jenzer Motorsport).

The Barcelona meeting will allow an initial hierarchy to be established. The weekend will begin with a free practice session on Friday, then the only qualifying session will take place on Saturday at 8:45 a.m. Two races are on the program, one Saturday at 17:20 p.m. and one Sunday at 9:25 a.m., with reverse grid.