2009 sees the return of the Formula 2 category, after an absence of more than two decades. Drivers will compete in identical cars designed by Williams Grand Prix Engineering over 16 rounds.
A Stepping Stone to Formula 1
For many years Formula 2 was a thriving category which attracted not only aspiring drivers, but also established Formula 1 racers. Jochen Rindt, François Cevert and Ronnie Peterson all continued to drive in Formula 2 while experiencing success in Grand Prix racing. The series was finally dropped at the end of the 1984 season and replaced by Formula 3000.
The new Formula 2 series is designed to provide a cheaper alternative to GP2. The cost of a season’s racing has been fixed at £195,000 per driver. The championship is being run by former Grand Prix driver Jonathan Palmer’s MotorSport Vision company.
The new Formula 2 car, designated the JPH1, is powered by a turbocharged 1.8 litre Audi engine, developing 400 bhp. The cars are also fitted with boost buttons, giving drivers an additional 50 bhp. Drive is transmitted through a trusty Hewland six-speed gearbox.
2009 Formula 2 Races and Drivers
Many of the Formula 2 races will be part of WTCC (World Touring Car Championship) weekends. There will be two races per weekend, with drivers having to make a compulsory pit-stop during the second race.
There has been considerable interest in the new series. Among the drivers already confirmed are Canadian Robert Wickens, who has shone in A1 Grand Prix for his country. There is also guaranteed to be a female presence on the grid, in the shape of Swiss driver Natacha Gachnang. She is the cousin of Sébastien Buemi, who makes his Formula 1 debut with Toro Rosso in 2009.
2009 FIA Formula 2 Calendar
May 29th-31st: Valencia, Spain (WTCC round)
June 19th-21st: Brno, Czech Republic (WTCC round)
June 26th-28th: Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium (GT Open Series round)
July 17th-19th: Brands Hatch, UK (WTCC round)
August 15th-16th: Donington Park, UK
September 4th-6th: Oschersleben, Germany (WTCC round)
September 18th-20th: Imola, Italy (WTCC round)
October 30th-November 1st: Barcelona, Spain (GT Open Series round)
2009 FIA Formula 2 Drivers
Robert Wickens (CAN), Julien Jousse (FRA), Armaan Ebrahim (IND), Jason Moore (UK), Tobias Hegewald (GER), Natacha Gachnang (SUI), Sebastian Hohenthal (SWE), Marco Zipoli (ITA), Pietro Gandolfi (ITA), Jolyon Palmer (UK), Alex Brundle (UK), Henry Surtees (UK), Jack Clarke (UK), Nicola De Marco (ITA), Mikhail Aleshin (RUS), Andy Soucek (SPA), Carlos Iaconelli (BRA), German Sanchez (SPA), Kazim Vasiliauskas (LIT), Mirko Bortolotti (ITA)
The Formula 2 teams will also benefit from extensive TV exposure. The 2009 season will be covered live by Eurosport, in addition to regular video features being added to the official Formula 2 website.
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