GP3 Series
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| Category | Single seaters |
|---|---|
| Country or region | Europe |
| Inaugural season | 2010 |
| Drivers | 30 |
| Teams | 10 |
| Constructors | Dallara |
| Engine suppliers | Renault |
| Tyre suppliers | Pirelli |
| Drivers' champion |  Valtteri Bottas |
| Teams' champion |  Lotus ART |
| Official website | gp3series.com |
 Current season |
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The GP3 Series, or GP3 for short, is a single seater motor racing series launched in 2010 as a feeder series for the GP2 Series, introduced by GP2 organiser Bruno Michel.[1] It was initially thought that the GP3 series would merge with the International Formula Master (IFM) series.[1] However, GP3 will actually use an all-new Dallara chassis combined with a Renault engine.[2][3]
Contents |
[edit] GP3 Series cars
The GP3 Series car is a standardised car used by all of the competing teams.
- Chassis
- The car has been designed and built by Dallara, who currently produces the GP2 chassis.[2][3]
- Tyres
- Pirelli supply tyres for GP3, same supplier for the GP2 Series.
[edit] Specifications
- Chassis: Dallara GP3/10 Survival cell – Sandwich Carbon/aluminium honeycomb structure designed by Dallara. Adjustable front and rear wings – Carbon structures designed by Dallara. Bodywork – Carbon – Kevlar – Glass composite structures designed by Dallara.
- Engine Displacement: Renault 2.0 L (2,000 cc) (122 in³) DOHC Inline-4.
- Gearbox: 6 speed longitudinal sequential Hewland gearbox.
- Power Output: 280 hp (209 kW; 284 PS) @ 6500 rpm.
- Fuel: Elf 100 RON, no refuelling.
- Fuel Tank: FIA homologated rubber safety tank.
- Fuel Delivery: Fuel injection.
- Aspiration: Turbocharged.
- Electronics/ECU: Magneti Marelli.
- Length: 4,471.3 mm (176 in).
- Width: 1,872 mm (74 in).
- Height: 1,043 mm (41 in) (including FOM roll hoop camera).
- Wheelbase: 2780 mm.
- Weight: 630 kg (1,389 lb) (with driver) (similar fashion with Atlantic Championship), 550 kg (1,213 lb) (without driver).
- Steering: Non assisted rack and pinion steering system.
- Drivetrain: 2WD only.
- Brakes: Hitco racing.
- Tires: Pirelli P Zero racing slicks and rain tires.
- Wheel rims: OZ Racing
- Safety equipment: HANS device, Seat belt 6-point supplied by Sabelt.
- Prohibitings: Active suspension, telemetry and traction control.
[edit] Race weekend
A race weekend features one 30-minute practice session on Friday, and one 30-minute qualifying session on Saturday, followed by two races. The qualifying session is a straight fight for the fastest laptime, and determines the order of the grid for Saturday's Race 1.
Race 2 is on Sunday. The grid is decided by the Saturday result with top 8 being reversed, so the driver who finished 8th on Saturday will start from pole position and the winner will start from 8th place.
The distance of each race is decided prior to the event, however, should 30 minutes elapse before the designated number of laps the lead driver will be shown the chequered flag.
[edit] Point system
- Pole for Saturday races: 2 points
| Point system for race 1 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th |
| 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Point system for race 2 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | ||
| 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | ||
- Fastest lap: 1 point in each race. Driver recording fastest lap has to drive 90% of race laps and must finish in the top ten of the race to be eligible for the fastest lap point.
With this points system, the most number of points anyone can score in one round is 20 by claiming pole position, winning both races with the fastest lap in each race.
[edit] Teams and drivers
GP3 Series has ten European teams and thirty drivers representing the Series. Manor Racing, Atech CRS GP and Carlin represent Great Britain , whilst flying the French flag is GP2 Series 2009 Champions ART Grand Prix and Tech 1 Racing. MW Arden in association with Formula One driver Mark Webber race under an Australian license. Spaniard Addax Team, German RSC Mücke Motorsport in association with Ralf Schumacher, Irish Status Grand Prix, and Swiss team Jenzer Motorsport complete the lineup.
[edit] Seasons
[edit] 2010
The 2010 GP3 Series season is the inaugural season of the Series.
[edit] Champions
| Season | Champion | Second | Third | Team Champion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 |  Esteban Gutiérrez (ART Grand Prix) |
 Robert Wickens (Status Grand Prix) |
 Nico Müller (Jenzer Motorsport) |
ART Grand Prix |
| 2011 | Valtteri Bottas (Lotus ART) |
 James Calado (Lotus ART) |
 Nigel Melker (RSC Mücke Motorsport) |
Lotus ART |
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b Elizalde, Pablo (2008-10-03). "GP2 organisers announce GP3 series". autosport.com (Haymarket Publications). http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/71098. Retrieved 2008-10-03.
- ^ a b c Elizalde, Pablo (2009-05-04). "Organisers reveal GP3 details". autosport.com (Haymarket Publications). http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/75054. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
- ^ a b c d e "New GP3 Series welcomes technical partners". GP2 Series. 2009-05-04. http://www.gp2series.com/en//website/2008gp2series/news/newsgp2/newsdetail.php?articleid=2292. Retrieved 2009-05-04.[dead link]
[edit] External links
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