F2 Unveiled
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 0
F2 Unveiled
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/73503
Williams hails new Formula Two car
The new Williams-built Formula Two car was publicly revealed at Brands Hatch on Tuesday as Sir Frank Williams hailed the FIA-sanctioned series a viable alternative to GP2.
The Formula One team principal, who along with Williams co-owner Patrick Head, was present at the official launch of the car at the Kent venue, said that the revived category represented excellent value for money.
"When I first heard about this, I wasn't particularly impressed - I feared it would take resources away from Formula One," said Williams. "But it has been a lesson for me - I don't know how you can go racing so cheaply.
"I think with 450bhp the car will need respect as well as skill and people will now be looking at two streams into F1 with F2 as well as GP2."
British Touring Car Championship regular Steven Kane took the 450bhp Audi-powered car on a handful of demonstration laps, having previously shaken the car down at Jonathan Palmer's Bedford Autodrome circuit two weeks ago.
"To see it for the first time was a real experience because it's quite a bit of kit," said Kane. "We still haven't really started pushing the performance.
"Just from last night to this morning we lowered the ride height by five mm and now we're on the limiter half way down the straight. We've not even put a set-up on it yet, I'm sure there is a lot of speed in the car that is yet to be found."
Kane, a former McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver Award winner, said that F2 was a great addition to the career ladder for aspiring racers and added that he wished it had been available when he was coming through the ranks.
"I'm in touring cars now because there was nothing like Formula 2 around a couple of years ago when I needed it," he said.
Williams hails new Formula Two car
The new Williams-built Formula Two car was publicly revealed at Brands Hatch on Tuesday as Sir Frank Williams hailed the FIA-sanctioned series a viable alternative to GP2.
The Formula One team principal, who along with Williams co-owner Patrick Head, was present at the official launch of the car at the Kent venue, said that the revived category represented excellent value for money.
"When I first heard about this, I wasn't particularly impressed - I feared it would take resources away from Formula One," said Williams. "But it has been a lesson for me - I don't know how you can go racing so cheaply.
"I think with 450bhp the car will need respect as well as skill and people will now be looking at two streams into F1 with F2 as well as GP2."
British Touring Car Championship regular Steven Kane took the 450bhp Audi-powered car on a handful of demonstration laps, having previously shaken the car down at Jonathan Palmer's Bedford Autodrome circuit two weeks ago.
"To see it for the first time was a real experience because it's quite a bit of kit," said Kane. "We still haven't really started pushing the performance.
"Just from last night to this morning we lowered the ride height by five mm and now we're on the limiter half way down the straight. We've not even put a set-up on it yet, I'm sure there is a lot of speed in the car that is yet to be found."
Kane, a former McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver Award winner, said that F2 was a great addition to the career ladder for aspiring racers and added that he wished it had been available when he was coming through the ranks.
"I'm in touring cars now because there was nothing like Formula 2 around a couple of years ago when I needed it," he said.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 0
for the price as guess you can't beat it. I'll label it like a Corvette.
But as the step before F1 I think a 450 hp engine is a joke.
And even worse, Im sure the car doesn't have carbon brakes! When greater braking power is only harder to adapt to than going faster.
oh yea the car looks ugly too. kinda like the old star mazdas
But as the step before F1 I think a 450 hp engine is a joke.
And even worse, Im sure the car doesn't have carbon brakes! When greater braking power is only harder to adapt to than going faster.
oh yea the car looks ugly too. kinda like the old star mazdas
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,795
Likes: 0
it looks pretty weird with that nose. i am not use to it. to me the design looks a little date. it maybe cuz of the angle of the pic with that. I do agree with you on the preformance and price upcoming talents could be performing in.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 0
OWNED!
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/73849
GP2 boss dismisses F2 threat
GP2 Series boss Bruno Michel is confident that the recently-launched Formula 2 Championship is not a threat to his category.
The FIA has revived F2 as a lower-cost route to Formula 1, but while GP2 runs on the grand prix support package, most of the F2 dates are at World Touring Car Championship meetings.
Michel believes that this alliance with F1 and the higher performance level of the GP2 cars give his championship a clear advantage over its new rival.
When asked if he saw F2 as a threat, Michel replied: "Absolutely not ... running alongside F1 and the high level of performance of our cars, no category can compete with GP2 as a feeder series to Formula 1.
"In reality, the F2 grid has hurt other categories that usually feed the GP2 Series, but not us. Drivers with 2010 F1 ambitions know that they unquestionably have to compete in GP2 this season and nowhere else.
"Moreover, the fact that some F2 drivers will be given a Superlicense will not make them F1 drivers. For a driver to move into F1, they first have to get noticed by F1 team principals. There is no better place than GP2 to achieve that.
"Our championship is the final step for drivers before Formula 1 whereas F2 will probably become a feeder category for GP2."
Despite the economic downturn, both GP2 and F2 expect to have full fields this year. F2 has filled all 24 places on its grid, and 23 drivers have already secured GP2 seats, with the remaining three deals set to be finalised shortly.
GP2 remains significantly more expensive than F2, but has taken steps to reduce its costs this year. However Michel said that his series would not bill itself as a 'low budget' option.
"We have taken important measures such as mid-season test cancellation, wind tunnel testing interruption, staff limitations and a significant decrease in the cost of some parts - to name a few," he said.
"Between these measures and the fact that 2008 has been an expensive year for our teams [with the introduction of the Asia Series and a new GP2 car], their budget for 2009 should be cut down by 20 per cent overall.
"The GP2 Series remains one the most viable championship that exists. The cost control that we put in place since its inception has been efficient and successful.
"However, putting things into perspectives, although it cannot be considered as a low-priced series, one must not forget that our car is an extremely complex and competitive machine."
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/73849
GP2 boss dismisses F2 threat
GP2 Series boss Bruno Michel is confident that the recently-launched Formula 2 Championship is not a threat to his category.
The FIA has revived F2 as a lower-cost route to Formula 1, but while GP2 runs on the grand prix support package, most of the F2 dates are at World Touring Car Championship meetings.
Michel believes that this alliance with F1 and the higher performance level of the GP2 cars give his championship a clear advantage over its new rival.
When asked if he saw F2 as a threat, Michel replied: "Absolutely not ... running alongside F1 and the high level of performance of our cars, no category can compete with GP2 as a feeder series to Formula 1.
"In reality, the F2 grid has hurt other categories that usually feed the GP2 Series, but not us. Drivers with 2010 F1 ambitions know that they unquestionably have to compete in GP2 this season and nowhere else.
"Moreover, the fact that some F2 drivers will be given a Superlicense will not make them F1 drivers. For a driver to move into F1, they first have to get noticed by F1 team principals. There is no better place than GP2 to achieve that.
"Our championship is the final step for drivers before Formula 1 whereas F2 will probably become a feeder category for GP2."
Despite the economic downturn, both GP2 and F2 expect to have full fields this year. F2 has filled all 24 places on its grid, and 23 drivers have already secured GP2 seats, with the remaining three deals set to be finalised shortly.
GP2 remains significantly more expensive than F2, but has taken steps to reduce its costs this year. However Michel said that his series would not bill itself as a 'low budget' option.
"We have taken important measures such as mid-season test cancellation, wind tunnel testing interruption, staff limitations and a significant decrease in the cost of some parts - to name a few," he said.
"Between these measures and the fact that 2008 has been an expensive year for our teams [with the introduction of the Asia Series and a new GP2 car], their budget for 2009 should be cut down by 20 per cent overall.
"The GP2 Series remains one the most viable championship that exists. The cost control that we put in place since its inception has been efficient and successful.
"However, putting things into perspectives, although it cannot be considered as a low-priced series, one must not forget that our car is an extremely complex and competitive machine."
Trending Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
s2ksimon
Southern Ontario S2000 Owners
3
Jul 10, 2006 03:10 PM