1884 replies to this topic

[TyreSmokeDownshift]

Silly season is drawing to a close and the countdown to the first race of the season begins.

 

The season kicks off in Barcelona, supporting the Spanish Grand Prix, and there are a tonne of potential title contenders (from returnees such as Evans, Marciello, Sirotkin, Gasly, Lynn, Matsushita and Rowland (this being his first full season) to promising newcomers like Ghiotto, Kirchhofer and Giovinazzi).

 

I also predict we will see Stoffel Vandoorne act as co-commentator for this season (excluding Monaco due to Super Formula commitments) alongside main commentator (and professional Richard Ayoade sound-alike) Alex Jacques.

 

Let's hope we're in for a great season...

[Marklar]

I also predict we will see Stoffel Vandoorne act as co-commentator for this season 

Yeah, this is the classic post GP2 win career

[sportyskells]

and of course 1st race since that non race at Yas Marina. do not forgot we have a round at baku (new venue) and Sepang (not so new for gp2)

[Kev00]

Literally the first thing I saw when I clicked on this page was 'Richard Ayoade' and I thought WTF?!?

[Fastcake]

I have nothing to add other than the fact series season sounds really odd when put together.

[sportyskells]

and we are waiting to see who Carlin pick for 2nd car. just happy to see the cars back in action after a long wait

[Jonnycraig37]

and we are waiting to see who Carlin pick for 2nd car. just happy to see the cars back in action after a long wait

Almost certainly nobody.

[taz]

Yeah, this is the classic post GP2 win career

Since last year he was already co-commentator for the F1 races on the french speaking Belgian television. And he's not bad actually, speaks fluently dutch, english but also french

[Araqiel]

Bring it on, my body is so ready.

[f1paul]

My prediction is for the title race to go down to the last race and Rowland will take the title

[sportyskells]

well, hwre something and that means no vandoore in com box as former gp2 com mam (Will buzton) will team up with Alex

[Kev00]

Would rather listen to Will commentating on his own. I know it's harsh but he is in a different league to Jacques.

[Viryfan]

My prediction is for the title race to go down to the last race and Rowland will take the title

 

Would be nice but i have doubts about MP Motorsport to be a consistant platform during the season.

[goingthedistance]

I'm not excited by this year's field. 

[Jimisgod]

I'm not excited by this year's field. 

 

Rowland, Sirotkin, Lynn and Ghiotto are more than capable. None are quite talents of Vandoorne quality, but they're better than the ancient winners of 2013 and earlier.

[Kev00]

I'm not excited by this year's field.

I am. Don't think there is a Vandoorne calibre driver, and I think whoever wins the title will still find it hard getting a seat in f1 on talent alone. But there is a number of very good drivers of a similar level. There are about 7 or 8 drivers who would be capable of winning the title but of course you have to favour the ART boys and Alex Lynn simply because you expect DAMS and ART to deliver a race winning car every weekend. I'm expecting the racing to be good though.

[goingthedistance]

Rowland, Sirotkin, Lynn and Ghiotto are more than capable. None are quite talents of Vandoorne quality, but they're better than the ancient winners of 2013 and earlier.

 

Yes, perhaps we've simply been a bit spoiled the past few years. No one has that X factor. I used to think Evans maybe did but it's not looking like it. 

[TyreSmokeDownshift]

Status sitting out the first round. Theodore Racing continue its partnership with Prema (GP2 included).

Edited by TyreSmokeDownshift, 11 May 2016 - 10:42.

[noikeee]

I'm with the crowd here, I think this is going to be a highly interesting season with plenty of good drivers capable of fighting for the title, so I'm looking forward to it. There's certainly a deeper pool of talent than in some previous seasons. But I'm not seeing a truly special driver, a future F1 champion emerging from here. Maybe someone will surprise us?

[Marklar]

Will Buxton is back

 

willbuxton An unexpected delight awaits in Spain as I have been invited back into the GP2 comms box for the weekend in the role of co-commentator alongside the main man Alex Jacques. Very chuffed to have been asked and can't wait. #DontCallItAComeback 

Edited by Marklar, 11 May 2016 - 16:16.

[balage06]

Oh yeah! According to the GP2 website, Canamasas will be Kirchhöfer's teammate at Carlin

http://www.gp2series...ms-and-Drivers/

[Prost1997T]

Oh yeah! According to the GP2 website, Canamasas will be Kirchhöfer's teammate at Carlin

http://www.gp2series...ms-and-Drivers/

 

This will be entertaining.

[Frood]

Oh yeah! According to the GP2 website, Canamasas will be Kirchhöfer's teammate at Carlin

http://www.gp2series...ms-and-Drivers/

 

I was going to moan, something along the lines of "who can still be funding this cowboy?"; then I realised it's probably a great idea to sponsor Canamasas as it's pretty much guaranteed he'll get you some airtime (not to mention the other drivers getting a different kind of airtime when he inevitably blunders into them...)

[TyreSmokeDownshift]

Regarding Carlin's addition and inter-team battles, Kirchhofer's got this one won (maybe with the possible exception of Monaco, Canamasas is quite good around there).

Also, if Canamasas screws up in this race, Alex Jacques better watch out because Will Buxton will be on the war path (we know all to well what he thinks of Canamasas).

[billm99uk]

Oh yeah! According to the GP2 website, Canamasas will be Kirchhöfer's teammate at Carlin

http://www.gp2series...ms-and-Drivers/

 

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! 

[TyreSmokeDownshift]

GP2 Free Practice session approaching. Live Timing down here:

 

http://www.gp2series.com/Live-Timing/ 

[TyreSmokeDownshift]

Looks like first blood goes to Gasly as he tops the FP session ahead of Lynn and Markelov. The last 15 mins seems to be devoted to long runs.

[Seanspeed]

Is the FP/quali/race schedule the same this year? 

[RPM40]

Evans' team move doesn't look promising. 

[TyreSmokeDownshift]

Evans' team move doesn't look promising.

Neither does Marciello's (and he's taken Evans's RT seat).

[sportyskells]

almsot time to find who gets 1st pole of 2016

[muramasa]

rain quali?

[muramasa]

Gasley on pole, it was fun quali in wet and changing condition

[Kev00]

I'm starting to run out of excuses for Evans. I know a team is important but in his 4th year now Evans should have a good understanding of how to get the best out of a gp2 car. And this is the team who took Haryanto to 4th in the championship last year. He must do better.

[TyreSmokeDownshift]

Grid penalties for Matsushita and Galael.

[Kev00]

Grid penalties for Matsushita and Galael.

Bet Matsushita is not happy as he was clearly blocked in the last sector of his flyer by Paz Armand, but that seems to have gone unpunished.

[deepsouth]

I'm starting to run out of excuses for Evans. I know a team is important but in his 4th year now Evans should have a good understanding of how to get the best out of a gp2 car. And this is the team who took Haryanto to 4th in the championship last year. He must do better.

 

Is Alonso a poor driver because he's stuck in an average car? In Evans' case he pretty much always wipes the floor with his teammates, so while I admittedly am biased as an Evans fan, I'm not buying the argument that he's not as quick as he's always been. The competitiveness of some teams changes from season to season so I think it's more accurate, in this case, to compare performances between teammates.

Edited by deepsouth, 14 May 2016 - 04:12.

[sportyskells]

Grid penalties for Matsushita and Galael.

you forgot to mention 1 car will start in pit lane Gelael as there not enough cars to take pen (i think gelael might be also in a bad mood)

[sopa]

Quite an interesting and - crucial - season coming up. With the Renault World Series really dwindling down now, GP2 is again in spotlight in terms of delivering the next F1 talents. Currently there seem to be quite a number of drivers, who may end up in F1 - already next year. Quite a number of reasonably talented drivers. So this GP2 season is crucial for all of them to really put themselves into the spotlight and earn themselves F1 seat in the silly season. Who can win or  at least fight at the front? Let's find out.

[Brandz07]

Evans has food poisoning by the way.

[Roscoe]

How many laps until the first pile up of the new season then? 

[jr80]

Looking forward to this including Buxton losing it at some point about an overtake.

[Anja]

That's a long cleanup for such a minor accident...

[Disgrace]

Great driving there by er, Canamasas.

[IamFasterthanU]

Sirotkin !!

[SheIsDisaster]

Sirotkin. Huge mistake

[Kev00]

"You Muppet!" Haha that was a shocker from Sergey

[RacingXO]

That's not the way to sell yourself to F1 Mr. SIR - Such a pity

[IamFasterthanU]

Great move by Norman Nato !!...Canamasas for the podium 

Edited by IamFasterthanU, 14 May 2016 - 14:33.

[Disgrace]

What a move. Gasly totally asleep.