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Designed to make racing affordable for the teams and to make it the perfect training ground for life in Formula One, GP2 has made it mandatory for all of the teams to use the same chassis, engine and tyre supplier so that true driver ability is reflected. All but three races have taken place as support races at Formula One race weekends to boost the series' profile, to give drivers experience on the Grand Prix environment, and to take advantage of the infrastructure (marshalls, medical facilities etc.) in place for a Formula One event. GP2 visited the Bahrain International Circuit in 2005 and 2007; all other races were held in European circuits. Many drivers have used GP2 as a stepping stone into Formula One. The 2005 Champion Nico Rosberg was hired by the Williams team for the 2006 F1 campaign, 2006 GP2 winner Lewis Hamilton made the transition to F1 the following year with McLaren and the 2007 Champion Timo Glock to Toyota for the 2008 F1 season. 2009 GP2 champion Nico Hülkenberg moved up to a Williams F1 race driver in the 2010 Formula 1 season. In addition, all runners up—Heikki Kovalainen (2005), Nelson Piquet, Jr. (2006) and Lucas di Grassi (2007)—became Renault test drivers the following year. All three earned F1 seats, but Piquet Jr has since been replaced. Karun Chandhok, Bruno Senna and Vitaly Petrov were also granted an F1 seat in 2010. For 2011 Pastor Maldonado was granted the hot seat at Williams due to his sponsorship from PDVSA and the fact he was GP2 champion. This meant that Nico Hulkenberg was deposed by Williams. Sergio Perez was given the drive alongside Kamui Kobayashi, another former GP2 driver and GP2 Asia series winner, at Sauber. Jerome D'Ambrosio got his Virgin Racing drive a few days before Christmas 2010, the Yorkshire team deposed Lucas Di Grassi for the driver who often drove in Friday Practice sessions throughout the season's second half. |
