1710 replies to this topic

[Disgrace]

The new season has barely taken shape just yet but we have one confirmed line-up:

Calado and Gutierrez at ART.

To clear up people's queries, we will not be broadcasting GP2 for next season. To follow that up, our deal came to an end this year.

Which English speaking broadcaster will be showing GP2?

[nimbus111]

The new season has barely taken shape just yet but we have one confirmed line-up:

Calado and Gutierrez at ART.



Which English speaking broadcaster will be showing GP2?

i think Speed still plans to unless that has changed, course thats in the US only i think.

Edited by nimbus111, 07 December 2011 - 17:19.

[Dispenser89]

Sky? Show it on their F1 channel? Hope it doesn't slip down to Motors TV.

Expecting good things from Calado.

[TFLB]

I think it was reported a while back that Sky had got the rights to GP2, GP3 and the Porsche Supercup as well as F1. I'd imagine they'll be shown on the F1 channel. Hopefully they'll treat them much better than Eurosport did. I lost count of the number of times they joined a race halfway through having delayed it because of tennis, snooker, etc.

Edit: Ok, I was wrong. Eurosport will continue showing GP3 and the Porsche Supercup. I'm still pretty sure GP2 will be on Sky though.

Edited by TFLB, 07 December 2011 - 18:05.

[William Hunt]

1 Luca Filippi (Ita) ? Barwa Addax
2 Jolyon Palmer (GB) ? Barwa Addax
3 Nigel Melker (Ned) ? DAMS
4 Ryo Haryanto (Indo) ? DAMS
5 Fabio Leimer (Ch) ? Racing Engineering
6 Nathanaël Berthon (Fra) ? Racing Engineering
7 Marcus Ericsson (Swe) iSport
8 Tom Dillmann (Fra) ? iSport
9 Esteban Gutiérrez (Mex) Lotus ART
10 James Calado (GB) Lotus ART
11 Luiz Razzia (Bra) ? Caterham
12 Alexander Rossi (USA) ? Caterham
14 Stefano Coletti (Mon) Coloni
15 Kevin Ceccon (Ita) Coloni
16 Julian Leal (Col) ? Trident
17 Stéphane Richelmi (Mon) ? Trident
18 Adam Carroll (GB) ? Super Nova
19 Sam Bird (GB) ? Super Nova
20 Dani Clos (Esp) ? Rapax
21 Davide Valsecchi (Ita) ? Rapax
22 Josef Kral (Cze) ? Arden
23 Simon Trummer (Ch) ? Arden
24 Brendon Hartley (N-Zl) ? Ocean Racing
25 Antonio Felix da Costa (Por) ? Ocean Racing
26 Max Chilton (GB) Carlin
27 Jan Charouz (Cze) ? Carlin

Edited by William Hunt, 07 December 2011 - 22:23.

[Richard T]

Expecting Calado, Ericsson, Gutierrez, Leimer and Melker to shine. Ericsson for the title

[billm99uk]

Gutierrez for the title, Rossi for top five and best Rookie.

[GX390]

Hoping Palmer and Calado will do well, does anyone have any idea what channel it will be on in the UK?

[billm99uk]

Hoping Palmer and Calado will do well, does anyone have any idea what channel it will be on in the UK?

Sky apparently.

[GX390]

Sky apparently.

Ah ok well hopefully that or Motors TV as I have them but not Eurosport

[billm99uk]

Ah ok well hopefully that or Motors TV as I have them but not Eurosport

I think the idea was Sky were buying Motors and converting it into their bespoke F1 channel. But that news may be wrong or out of date now - things are moving fast at the moment

[GX390]

I think the idea was Sky were buying Motors and converting it into their bespoke F1 channel. But that news may be wrong or out of date now - things are moving fast at the moment ;)

Ahh ok thanks for the info

[Collective]

Gutierrez for the title, Rossi for top five and best Rookie.

Hope your prophecy comes true!

[Myrvold]

1 Luca Filippi (Ita) ? Barwa Addax
2 Jolyon Palmer (GB) ? Barwa Addax
3 Nigel Melker (Ned) ? DAMS
4 Ryo Haryanto (Indo) ? DAMS
5 Fabio Leimer (Ch) ? Racing Engineering
6 Nathanaël Berthon (Fra) ? Racing Engineering
7 Marcus Ericsson (Swe) iSport
8 Tom Dillmann (Fra) ? iSport
9 Esteban Gutiérrez (Mex) Lotus ART
10 James Calado (GB) Lotus ART
11 Luiz Razzia (Bra) ? Caterham
12 Alexander Rossi (USA) ? Caterham
14 Stefano Coletti (Mon) Coloni
15 Kevin Ceccon (Ita) Coloni
16 Julian Leal (Col) ? Trident
17 Stéphane Richelmi (Mon) ? Trident
18 Adam Carroll (GB) ? Super Nova
19 Sam Bird (GB) ? Super Nova
20 Dani Clos (Esp) ? Rapax
21 Davide Valsecchi (Ita) ? Rapax
22 Josef Kral (Cze) ? Arden
23 Simon Trummer (Ch) ? Arden
24 Brendon Hartley (N-Zl) ? Ocean Racing
25 Antonio Felix da Costa (Por) ? Ocean Racing
26 Max Chilton (GB) Carlin
27 Jan Charouz (Cze) ? Carlin

A good guess, but I do know that Pål Varhaug is close to get enough money to get the second year in GP2. That might be with DAMS again, because his father was talking about the second year as they would continue with DAMS.

[billm99uk]

A good guess, but I do know that Pål Varhaug is close to get enough money to get the second year in GP2. That might be with DAMS again, because his father was talking about the second year as they would continue with DAMS.

Wonder why he'd bother, considering the results first time round?

[Ross Stonefeld]

Because if every average racing driver gave up we'd only have about 50 of them worldwide.

[billm99uk]

Because if every average racing driver gave up we'd only have about 50 of them worldwide.

Well at least change team. Blaming someone else ain't the most attractive excuse, but you can't repeat the same situation and not expect to get the same results. It's not like he was getting any better at the end of the year...

[ezequiel]

If Filippi stays, as long as he's in a top team, I would also consider him as a serious contender.

[Myrvold]

Well at least change team. Blaming someone else ain't the most attractive excuse, but you can't repeat the same situation and not expect to get the same results. It's not like he was getting any better at the end of the year...

I do agree, however, I do think they are thinking (a lot of thinking here), that he will be much better in 2012, because the team apparently was very happy with his driving and feedback. And with Grosjean out, they hope we will get at least equal treatment.

[noikeee]

If Filippi stays, as long as he's in a top team, I would also consider him as a serious contender.

Well if he challenged this year he can do it again, but I really doubt he can further improve his performance to clinch the title. He has ONE HUNDRED AND FOUR GP2 races in his CV. If he was to mature and find extra pace/consistency, I think by now he'd have found it...

In a way it's kinda nice that someone not good enough for F1 but not really a bad driver neither, can still have a long career in open wheel cars. He must have a huge pile of cash to burn though, I think every GP2 driver brings cash to compete nowadays? And not just some cash, but a huge amount of it?

Edited by paranoik0, 08 December 2011 - 22:20.

[billm99uk]

If Filippi stays, as long as he's in a top team, I would also consider him as a serious contender.

I'm sure he would be. But why would he bother? It's not like he'd get any more consideration by F1 teams by winning it next year than Pantano did. And GP2 is hardly a good place to earn a living.

[Disgrace]

And not just some cash, but a huge amount of it?

According to Mark Gallagher, ex-Cosworth man and GP3 team owner, a GP2 season costs £1.6 million.

[Jackman]

In a way it's kinda nice that someone not good enough for F1 but not really a bad driver neither, can still have a long career in open wheel cars. He must have a huge pile of cash to burn though, I think every GP2 driver brings cash to compete nowadays? And not just some cash, but a huge amount of it?

To be fair, Filippi hasn't paid anything for the last 2 years. But he won't be back - he's trying to get a drive in the US.

[William Hunt]

A good guess, but I do know that Pål Varhaug is close to get enough money to get the second year in GP2. That might be with DAMS again, because his father was talking about the second year as they would continue with DAMS.

I strongly doubt DAMS wants him for another year after such a poor showing whilst his teammate was winning the title. If he has the budget he will probably end up in a team like Trident or Carlin if he's lucky.

[noikeee]

To be fair, Filippi hasn't paid anything for the last 2 years. But he won't be back - he's trying to get a drive in the US.

That's odd.. how does that work, have his team-mates been paying for his seat?

I admit I've been a bit out of the loop lately and didn't even have an idea he changed teams during the season - just checked it in Wikipedia. Given his team-mates were, respectively, Fauzy and Herck (!!) that makes sense actually.

[billm99uk]

To be fair, Filippi hasn't paid anything for the last 2 years. But he won't be back - he's trying to get a drive in the US.

Well so was Adam Carroll. They're talking about $5 million for an IndyCar drive because of the new chassis. Doubt he can find that. So what's next? ALMS?

[Myrvold]

I strongly doubt DAMS wants him for another year after such a poor showing whilst his teammate was winning the title. If he has the budget he will probably end up in a team like Trident or Carlin if he's lucky.

I doubt it as well. But the way his father (and manager, and the one that hunt for sponsors) talked it seemed like they did have the option if they just brought in enough money.

[Jackman]

I doubt it as well. But the way his father (and manager, and the one that hunt for sponsors) talked it seemed like they did have the option if they just brought in enough money.

I'd be quite surprised too, considering how his old man was talking about the team during the season, but it's motorsport: stranger things have happened.

[William Hunt]

1 Luca Filippi (Ita) ? Barwa Addax
2 Jolyon Palmer (GB) ? Barwa Addax
3 Nigel Melker (Ned) ? DAMS
4 Ryo Haryanto (Indo) ? DAMS
5 Fabio Leimer (Ch) ? Racing Engineering
6 Nathanaël Berthon (Fra) ? Racing Engineering
7 Marcus Ericsson (Swe) iSport
8 Tom Dillmann (Fra) ? iSport
9 Esteban Gutiérrez (Mex) Lotus ART
10 James Calado (GB) Lotus ART
11 Luiz Razzia (Bra) ? Caterham
12 Alexander Rossi (USA) ? Caterham
14 Stefano Coletti (Mon) Coloni
15 Kevin Ceccon (Ita) Coloni
16 Stéphane Richelmi (Mon) Trident
17 Julian Leal (Col) ? Trident
18 Adam Carroll (GB) ? Super Nova
19 Sam Bird (GB) ? Super Nova
20 Dani Clos (Esp) ? Rapax
21 Davide Valsecchi (Ita) ? Rapax
22 Josef Kral (Cze) ? Arden
23 Simon Trummer (Ch) ? Arden
24 Brendon Hartley (N-Zl) Ocean Racing
25 Antonio Felix da Costa (Por) ? Ocean Racing
26 Max Chilton (GB) Carlin
27 Jan Charouz (Cze) ? Carlin


Update: Richelmi confirmed by Trident

Edited by William Hunt, 14 December 2011 - 10:44.

[noikeee]

With Bianchi now looking most likely to get a 3rd driver role for Force India (see the Silly Season thread), he's probably going to continue in GP2. Any ideas as to which team he could be in?

[HistoryFan]

I heard that driver who compete in First Practice for F1 are not allowed to drive GP2. So I think we will not see Bianchi in GP2 2012 as he said that he think that it would not be useful for him.

As team mate to Richelmi I see Nigel Melker, Sam Bird, Julien Leal or Josef Kral.

[piercey]

I heard that driver who compete in First Practice for F1 are not allowed to drive GP2. So I think we will not see Bianchi in GP2 2012 as he said that he think that it would not be useful for him.

As team mate to Richelmi I see Nigel Melker, Sam Bird, Julien Leal or Josef Kral.

They can't do it on the same weekend I think. Probably would just get the Fridays on the fly-away races.

[Andy865]

CHILTON!?!?!?!

didnt realise daddy's bank account was that big...

[Disgrace]

Daddy Chilton is Aon vice-chairman, so the kitty is pretty deep.

[Jackman]

And he co-owns Carlin.

[Ross Stonefeld]

Daddy Chilton is Aon vice-chairman, so the kitty is pretty deep.

More because of the company that AON bought, which made him vice-chair.

I'm not sure why anyone is surprised by Chilton? Printed his own currency in F3 and has already done a year of GP2 + buying F1 tests.

[HistoryFan]

They can't do it on the same weekend I think. Probably would just get the Fridays on the fly-away races.

I think he will do all Force India Friday First Practice and do not compete in GP2.

[highdownforce]

ART GP to be black and gold next year.
http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/96726

[Seanspeed]

ART GP to be black and gold next year.
http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/96726

Thank god. It was so hard to tell the Caterham's from the ART's last season.

[Red17]

Thank god. It was so hard to tell the Caterham's from the ART's last season.

To be fair, it was Air Asia (Caterham) that decided to pick on ART and only in the last races.

[muramasa]

ART GP to be black and gold next year.
http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/96726

...Tony Fernandes' Team Lotus used traditional Lotus green and gold, .... But the Group Lotus-sponsored teams in IndyCar, GP2 and GP3 all ran in green and gold.

green and gold?

[highdownforce]

green and gold?

This GP2 season started with ART GP sporting green and yellow (reference to gold) sponsored by Lotus Cars and Team AirAsia (Fernantes') sporting red and white.
Later in the season the rebranded Catherham Team AirAsia started using also a green and yellow livery almost equal to the Fernandes' Team Lotus one.


Black wing is ART the other is AirAsia.

Next year, ART GP will sport black and yellow (beige, gold, whatever) just like Lotus F1 (past LRGP) and Caterhan GP2 team will keep a green and yellow livery emulating the F1 team.

[noikeee]

I need to start watching GP2 again, I didn't even know about that cluster****. Two teams with almost the exact same livery. Now THAT's petty.

[noikeee]

Melker now confirmed for Ocean. Deserved step up for a driver I hadn't heard about at all but proved himself the past 2 years in GP3.

[muramasa]

thanx highdownforce

but in UK you call a yellow gold? haha

I need to start watching GP2 again, I didn't even know about that cluster****. Two teams with almost the exact same livery. Now THAT's petty.

me neither
didnt know that "Will the real Lotus please stand up?" thing was truly and literally nasty in GP2!
actually took me a while to read highdownforce post and scrutinize the pic until finally understand it

[William Hunt]

1 Sam Bird (GB) ? Barwa Addax
2 Jolyon Palmer (GB) ? Barwa Addax
3 Christian Vietoris (Ger) ? DAMS
4 Ryo Haryanto (Indo) ? DAMS
5 Fabio Leimer (Ch) ? Racing Engineering
6 Nathanaël Berthon (Fra) ? Racing Engineering
7 Marcus Ericsson (Swe) iSport
8 Tom Dillmann (Fra) ? iSport
9 Esteban Gutiérrez (Mex) Lotus ART
10 James Calado (GB) Lotus ART
11 Luiz Razzia (Bra) ? Caterham
12 Alexander Rossi (USA) ? Caterham
14 Stefano Coletti (Mon) Coloni
15 Kevin Ceccon (Ita) Coloni
16 Stéphane Richelmi (Mon) Trident
17 Julian Leal (Col) ? Trident
18 Adam Carroll (GB) ? Super Nova
19 Jake Rosenzweig (USA) ? Super Nova
20 Dani Clos (Esp) ? Rapax
21 Davide Valsecchi (Ita) ? Rapax
22 Josef Kral (Cze) ? Arden
23 Simon Trummer (Ch) ? Arden
24 Nigel Melker (Ned) Ocean Racing
25 Antonio Felix da Costa (Por) ? Ocean Racing
26 Max Chilton (GB) Carlin
27 Jan Charouz (Cze) ? Carlin


Update: Melker confirmed by Ocean

Edited by William Hunt, 14 December 2011 - 10:50.

[highdownforce]

thanx highdownforce
[...]
but in UK you call a yellow gold? haha

You're welcomed.
It's kind of a heraldic thing, I believe, yellow is usually used (including motorsports) to represent gold and when talking in this kind of context you can call it like that.

One major example is this one:

[Mastah]

So rumors were true:

23-25 March // Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
20-22 April // Sakhir, Bahrain
26-28 April // Sakhir, Bahrain
11-13 May // Barcelona, Spain
24-26 May // Monte Carlo, Monaco
22-24 June // Valencia, Spain
06-08 July // Silverstone, Great-Britain
20-22 July // Hockenheim, Germany
27-29 July // Budapest, Hungary
31 Aug – 02 September // Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
07-09 September // Monza, Italy
21-23 September // Singapore, Singapore

http://www.gp2series...endar-unveiled/


I think GP2 should rather stick to Europe and maybe Middle East, because Asian rounds only generate unnecessary costs. But maybe there is something I don't know...

[lustigson]

23-25 March // Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
20-22 April // Sakhir, Bahrain
26-28 April // Sakhir, Bahrain
11-13 May // Barcelona, Spain
24-26 May // Monte Carlo, Monaco
22-24 June // Valencia, Spain
06-08 July // Silverstone, Great-Britain
20-22 July // Hockenheim, Germany
27-29 July // Budapest, Hungary
31 Aug – 02 September // Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
07-09 September // Monza, Italy
21-23 September // Singapore, Singapore

The calender makes for a truly international championship. A good thing, if you ask me.

What's a bummer, though, is the 4 races (!) in Bahrain in an 8-day timespan; I wonder how much the Bahraini government has paid the FIA for getting so much exposure in all their (World) Championships: F1, WSC, and now GP2.

[Clatter]

The calender makes for a truly international championship. A good thing, if you ask me.

What's a bummer, though, is the 4 races (!) in Bahrain in an 8-day timespan; I wonder how much the Bahraini government has paid the FIA for getting so much exposure in all their (World) Championships: F1, WSC, and now GP2.

GP2 isn't an FIA championship.