FIA Formula 2 Championship
 | |
| Category | Single seaters |
|---|---|
| Country | International |
| Inaugural season | 2017 |
| Drivers | 20 |
| Teams | 10 |
| Constructors | Dallara |
| Engine suppliers | Mecachrome |
| Tyre suppliers | Pirelli |
| Drivers' champion |  Nyck de Vries |
| Teams' champion |  Carlin |
| Official website | fiaformula2.com |
 Current season | |
The FIA Formula 2 Championship[1] is a second-tier single-seater racing championship organised by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The championship was introduced in 2017, following the rebranding of the long-term Formula One feeder series GP2.
Designed to make racing affordable for the teams and to make it an ideal training ground for life in Formula One, Formula 2 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. Formula 2 mainly races on European circuits, but has appearances on other international race tracks as well with their most recent races in the 2017 season at the Bahrain International Circuit in Bahrain and the Yas Marina Circuit in United Arab Emirates.
Numbering system
The numbering system in FIA Formula 2 Championship is currently based as previous season's team standings (similar to Formula One 1996–2013 numbering system) that used since GP2 Series formation in 2005 until present.
Race weekend
On Friday, drivers have a 45-minute[2] free practice session and a 30-minute qualifying session. The qualifying session decides the grid order for Saturday's race which has a length of 180 kilometres (112 miles).
During Saturday's race (Feature Race), each driver must complete one compulsory pitstop and must use at least one set of each specification of dry-weather tyres.
Sunday's race (Sprint Race) is run over 120 kilometres (75 miles). 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 exceptions to these rules are the Monaco and Budapest where the Feature Race is run over 140 km (87 miles) and 160 km (100 miles), respectively and the Monaco Sprint Race where the race is run over 100 km (60 miles). The races length is also limited to 60 minutes for Feature Race and 45 minutes for Sprint Race. [3]
Usually the Monaco round race sessions held in Friday and Saturday since 2005.
Point system
Feature races will be run with a scoring system similar to the one used in Formula One:
| Point system for Feature Race | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th |
| 25 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
The top eight finishers in a sprint race receive points as follows:
| Point system for Sprint Race | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th |
| 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
Pole position for the feature race will now be worth 4 points, and 2 points will be given for the fastest lap in each race. Therefore, the maximum number of points a driver can score at any round will be 48. The driver recording the 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 points.
In the case of a tie, FIA Formula 2 Championship will determine the champion based on the most first-place finishes. If there is still a tie, FIA Formula 2 Championship will determine the champion by the most second-place finishes, then the most third-place finishes, etc., until a champion is determined. FIA Formula 2 Championship will apply the same system to other ties in the rankings at the close of the season and at any other time during the season.
Car specifications
The FIA Formula 2 Championship car is used by all of the teams, and features a Dallara carbon-fiber monocoque chassis powered by a Mecachrome single-turbocharged direct-injected V6 engine and Pirelli dry slick and rain treaded tyres. Overall weight is 755 kg including driver.
Chassis
First-generation (third-generation overall)
The first-generation (third-generation overall) 2011–2017 spec GP2/11 car which was used in the first rebranded season of FIA Formula 2 Championship had been designed by Dallara Automobili. The obsolete GP2/11 car fitted with old Mecachrome 4.0-litre V8 naturally-aspirated engine as well as taller and narrower rear wing inspired by 2009–2016 Formula One rear wing.
Second-generation (fourth-generation overall)
The F2 Championship currently uses second-generation (fourth-generation overall) 2018 specification F2 2018 car which has been designed by Dallara Automobili. The price of Dallara F2 2018 FIA Formula 2 Championship cars are approximately up to €500,000 per car (including wheels, wings, steering wheel and other components excluding engine). The current FIA Formula 2 Championship chassis material is carbon/aluminium honeycomb structure and also carbon aramid honeycomb bodywork structure fitted with Zylon anti-intrusion panels.
Drivetrain
The current gearbox is manufactured by Hewland and features an 8-position barrel with ratchet body and software upgrades as well as a new transverse shafts fixing system designed to facilitate improved gear selection. Currently, the FIA Formula 2 Championship gearbox uses a 6-speed semi-automatic configuration with electronically-controlled paddle shifters with reverse operated by a button on the steering wheel. The clutches of all FIA Formula 2 Championship cars are supplied by ZF Sachs with the multi-plate clutch operated by a hand-paddle lever.
Wheel rims
O.Z. Racing exclusively supplies wheel rims for all FIA Formula 2 Championship cars since 2005. The wheel size of O.Z. Racing F2 wheels are 12 in × 13 in (305 mm × 330 mm) on front and 13.7 in × 13 in (348 mm × 330 mm) on rear until 2019. From 2020 season onwards all FIA Formula 2 Championship cars will switch to 18 in (457 mm) road car-inspired wheel rims for the preparation of expanding to Formula One from 2021 onwards and also data sharing.[4]
The wheel rims of all FIA Formula 2 cars are made of magnesium alloy.
Tyres
Similar to the 2011 change for Formula 1, Pirelli is now the sole tyre supplier for the series. The FIA Formula 2 Championship runs the different compounds and size as F1 since 2017 (due to in fact Formula 1's 2017 season tyres are wider, the FIA Formula 2 Championship carried over the pre-2017 Pirelli F1 tyres). The front tyre size are 245/660-R13 (9.6/26-R13) and rear tyre size are 325/660-R13 (12.8/26-R13) and will be used until the end of 2019 season. The compounds of Pirelli Formula 2 tyres are currently four dry compounds (purple supersoft, red soft, yellow medium and white hard) carrying P Zero brand and two wet compounds (green intermediate and blue wet) carrying Cinturato brand.
The new tyres are unveiled during the 2019 Monza FIA Formula 2 round with 18-inch wheel rims mounted. The new tyre sizes are 305/720-R18 (12.0/28.3-R18) on the fronts and 405/720-R18 (15.9/28.3-R18) on the rears.
Brakes
Brembo supplies monobloc brake calipers and disc bells, which are exclusive to FIA Formula 2 Championship. Carbone Industrie also supplies carbon brake discs and pads for FIA Formula 2 Championship. The brake discs are 278 mm × 28 mm (10.94 in × 1.10 in) in size.
Fuel tank
The current Dallara F2 2018 FIA Formula 2 Championship car's fuel tank carried over the FIA standard Premier FT5 tank with the capacity up to 125 litres.
Refuelling during a race is banned due to safety and cost reasons.
Suspension
The suspension of all FIA Formula 2 Championship cars are upper and lower steel wishbones, pushrod operated, coupled with twin Koni dampers and torsion bars suspension (front) and spring suspension (rear) similar to current Formula One car suspension.
Steering wheel
Since 2011, XAP Technology exclusively provides the XAP single-seater F2 steering wheel as well as XAP SX steering wheel dash display for all FIA Formula 2 Championship cars. The XAP steering wheel features 6 buttons in the front with 5 paddles (DRS, gear shift and clutch) in the back of steering wheel. From the 2018 season, all FIA Formula 2 cars will utilize all new XAP steering wheels with a larger dash screen and also three new rotary switches (similar to the current FIA Formula E steering wheel).
Safety
The most current safety innovations are a top priority of the FIA Formula 2 Championship. Front, side, rear and steering column impact tests are the FIA safety standards. All FIA Formula 2 Championship car include front and rear roll hoop, impact structures and monocoque push tests. Anti-intrusion survival cell protection panels have been used since 2011. Wheel retainer safety cables are also featured to avoid wheel flying similar to Formula One, IndyCar Series (known as SWEMS) and other single-seater Formula racing series. The seat belts of all FIA Formula 2 Championship cars are supplied by Sabelt with a 6-point seat belt configuration similar to Formula One. From 2018 onwards, the “halo” cockpit protection system has been introduced to protect the drivers in crashes.
Other components
All FIA Formula 2 cars carry a Magneti Marelli-provided electronic control unit (Marvel SRG 480 model) as well as Magneti Marelli PDU 12–42 power supply management unit. Live telemetry is used only for television broadcasts, but the data can be recorded from the ECU to the computer if the car is in the garage and not on the track. Rear-view mirrors for all FIA Formula 2 cars are fully mandated to easily view opponents behind.
Engine
First-generation (2005–2017)
Starting in 2005 (under GP2 Series name), Formula 2 cars were powered by 4.0 L (244 cu in) V8, four-stroke piston, Otto cycle unleaded gasoline-burning, prototype production-based, naturally-aspirated engines, produced by Mecachrome. Per Formula 2 rules, the engines sold for no more than €70,000 and were rev-limited to 10,000 rpm. They produced around 612 hp (456 kW; 620 PS) and weighed up to 148 kg (326 lb).
FIA Formula 2 Championship first-generation engines were rev-limited to 10,000 rpm and produce approximately 612 hp. The valve train is a dual overhead camshaft configuration with four valves per cylinder. The crankshaft is made of alloy steel, with five main bearing caps. The pistons are forged aluminium alloy, while the connecting rods are machined alloy steel. The electronic engine management system is supplied by Magneti Marelli, firing a CDI ignition system. The engine lubrication is a dry sump type, cooled by a single water pump.
Second-generation (2018–present)
The series uses four-stroke piston Otto cycle 620 hp 3.4-litre V6 DOHC single-turbocharged direct-injected fuel-efficient engines which resemble the FIA Formula 3 Championship engine model supplied by Mecachrome, prepared and maintained by Teos Engineering. The V634 Turbo was unveiled in 2017 along with the new Dallara F2 2018 chassis but will be used from 2018 onwards.[5] Dutch turbocharger company Van Der Lee Turbo Systems currently supplies the turbochargers for all FIA Formula 2 Championship all-new engines.
All FIA Formula 2 Championship cars switched from a 4.0 L (244 cu in) V8 naturally-aspirated indirect electronic injection to an all-new 4-stroke piston Otto cycle fuel-efficient 3.4 L (207 cu in) V6 turbocharged direct injection engine from the 2018 season onwards. This will mark the introduction of turbocharged engines in 2018 season for the first time ever in the history of the sport. The all-new engine fuel delivery will be direct injection instead of traditional electronic indirect injection. The power output of all-new FIA Formula 2 engine will be increased from 612 to 620 hp (456 to 462 kW; 620 to 629 PS). Mecachrome will continue providing FIA Formula 2 new engines from 2018 season beyond. The new Mecachrome V634 Turbo engine rev limit scaled down to 8,750 rpm and weighed up to 132 kg (291 lb) including turbocharger. The firing ignition of Mecachrome V634 Turbo engine are revolutionary digital inductive. The fuel-mass flow restrictor rate of second-generation FIA Formula 2 Championship engine is roughly worth at 105 kg/h (231 lb/h).
The Mecachrome V634 Turbo 3.4-litre single-turbocharged direct-injected Mecachrome V6 engine is an evolution of the GP3 engine, which is the solely supplied engine for the FIA Formula 2 Championship. With the addition of a single turbo, the engine has undergone rigorous dyno testing, ahead of its racing debut. The turbo boost pressure of V634 Turbo engine produces up to 1.5 bar. The Mecachrome V634 Turbo engines sold for up to €67,000 per unit.
Fuel and lubricants components
All Formula 2 cars currently use ordinary unleaded racing gasoline as fuel (similar to commercial vehicle unleaded street gasoline), which has been the de facto standard in second tier single-seater formula racing since the introduction of GP2 Series in 2005. Current Elf LMS 102 RON unleaded gasoline resembles ordinary unleaded gasoline but produces better mileage while being environmental-friendly and safer than leaded fuels[citation needed]. Since 2017, Elf exclusively continues providing the LMS 102 RON unleaded fuel and also Elf HTX 840 0W-40 lubricants for all FIA Formula 2 Championship cars.
Other parts
The car also features internal cooling upgrades, a new water radiator, radiator duct, oil/water heat exchanger, modified oil degasser, new oil and water pipes and new heat exchanger fixing brackets.
Performance
According to research and pre-season stability tests, the 2005 model can accelerate from 0 to 200 km/h (124 mph) in 6.7 seconds. The car has a top speed of 320 km/h (199 mph) meaning that it is the fastest single seater racing car behind Formula One and IndyCar Series.[citation needed]
The 2011 model can accelerate from 0–200 km/h (0–124 mph) in 6.6 seconds.[citation needed]
The car has a top speed of 330 km/h (205 mph) with the Monza aero configuration.[citation needed]
Specifications (2017)
- Engine displacement: 4.0 L (244 cu in) DOHC V8
- Gearbox: 6-speed paddle shift gearbox (must have reverse)
- Weight: 688 kg (1,517 lb) (including driver)
- Power output: 612 hp (456 kW)
- Fuel: Elf LMS 89.6 MON, 101.6 RON unleaded
- Fuel capacity: 33 US gallons (125 litres)
- Fuel delivery: Electronic indirect injection
- Aspiration: Naturally aspirated
- Length: 5,065 mm (199 in)
- Width: 1,800 mm (71 in)
- Wheelbase: 3,120 mm (123 in)
- Steering: Non-assisted rack and pinion
- Tyres: Pirelli P Zero dry and Cinturato intermediate and wet
Current specifications (2018–2020)
- Engine displacement: 3.4 L (207 cu in) DOHC V6
- Gearbox: 6-speed paddle shift gearbox (must have reverse)
- Weight: 755 kg (1,664 lb) including driver and fuel
- Power output: 620 hp (462 kW)
- Fuel: Elf LMS 89.6 MON, 101.6 RON unleaded
- Fuel capacity: 125 litres (33 US gallons)
- Fuel delivery: Direct fuel injection
- Aspiration: Single-turbocharged
- Turbo boost level pressure: Restricted to 1.5 bar (21.76 psi; 150.00 kPa; 1,125.09 Torr; 1.48 atm; 44.29 inHg)
- Length: 5,224 mm (206 in)
- Width: 1,900 mm (75 in)
- Wheelbase: 3,135 mm (123 in)
- Steering: Non-assisted rack and pinion
- Tyres: Pirelli P Zero dry and Cinturato intermediate and wet
History
2017
The 2017 season consisted of eleven rounds, ten of which supported the 2017 FIA Formula One World Championship and a stand-alone event in Jerez.[1] It started in Bahrain on 15 April and finished in Abu Dhabi on 26 November. The season saw rookie Charles Leclerc, driving for Prema Racing, take the title with 7 wins and Russian Time secured the inaugural teams' championship. It was also the final season for the Dallara GP2/11 chassis which débuted in 2011 when the series was known as GP2 and the Mecachrome 4.0 litre (244 cu in) V8 naturally-aspirated engine package that débuted in the inaugural season of the GP2 Series.
2018
The 2018 season consisted of twelve rounds, with all twelve rounds supporting the 2018 Formula One World Championship. It started in Bahrain on 7 April and finished in Abu Dhabi on 25 November. The 2018 season also introduced the new Dallara F2 2018 car as well as the all-new Mecachrome 3.4 litre (207 cu in) V6 turbo engine with a large single turbo with a double waste gate, supplied by Dutch turbocharger manufacturer Van Der Lee Turbo Systems.
2019
2020
Fatality at Spa
On Saturday 31st August 2019, Anthoine Hubert, Giuliano Alesi and Juan-Manuel Correa were involved in a 160 mph crash during the second lap of the Belgian Grand Prix on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. Hubert was killed in the crash.
Alesi was checked and declared fit at the medical centre. Correa was sent to CHU Liege hospital, and is said to be in a stable condition.[6]
Because of the severity of the crash, the race was immediately red flagged, and the Sunday sprint race was also cancelled as a mark of respect.
The Formula One Grand Prix at the circuit the following Sunday started with a moment of silence. Most drivers wore a black ribbon commemorating Hubert. Charles Leclerc, who was befriended with Hubert, paid further respect by visiting Hubert's family at the race. Leclerc would then win his first Formula One race, and dedicated the victory to his late friend.[7]
Champions
Drivers'
| Season | Driver | Team | Poles | Wins | Podiums | Fastest laps | Points | Clinched | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 |  Charles Leclerc
|
 Prema Racing
|
8 | 7 | 10 | 4 | 282 | Race 19 of 22 | 72 |
| 2018 | George Russell
|
 ART Grand Prix
|
5 | 7 | 11 | 6 | 287 | Race 23 of 24 | 68 |
| 2019 | Nyck de Vries
|
ART Grand Prix
|
5* | 4* | 12* | 3* | 266* | Race 21 of 24 (19 of 22)** | 72* |
* Season in progress ** The feature and sprint races in Spa (event 9) were cancelled due to the fatal accident of Anthoine Hubert. Points for pole position were still awarded at that event.
Teams'
| Season | Team | Poles | Wins | Podiums | Fastest laps | Points | Clinched | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 |  Russian Time
|
1 | 6 | 14 | 6 | 395 | Race 22 of 22 | 15 |
| 2018 | Carlin
|
2 | 1 | 17 | 2 | 383 | Race 23 of 24 | 33 |
Drivers graduated to F1
| Driver | F2 | F1 | Other major titles | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seasons | Races | Wins | Podiums | Seasons | First team | Races | Wins | Poles | Podiums | ||
| Charles Leclerc
|
2017 | 22 | 7 | 9 | 2018–2019 | Sauber | 36 | 2 | 6 | 9 | GP3 Series |
| Sergey Sirotkin
|
2017 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2018 | Williams | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Formula Abarth European Series |
 Alexander Albon
|
2017–2018 | 44 | 4 | 10 | 2019 | Scuderia Toro Rosso | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Lando Norris
|
2017–2018 | 26 | 1 | 8 | 2019 | McLaren | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 FIA Formula 3 European Championship |
| George Russell
|
2018 | 24 | 7 | 11 | 2019 | Williams | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | GP3 Series |
- Bold denotes an active Formula One driver.
- Gold background denotes a Formula 2 champion.
- Drivers marked with a † started Formula One on mid-season.
- Sergey Sirotkin spent two seasons in Formula 2 forerunner GP2
Television rights
The television rights are held by Formula One Management, which also manages the rights to Formula One. Sky Sports F1 show every practice, qualifying and race live in the United Kingdom, and so does Movistar Fórmula 1 in Spain and Eleven Sports in Portugal. In Brazil the races are shown live by Sportv and DAZN, that also shows Formula One. Coverage in North America is available exclusively online on TSN GO (Canada) and ESPN3 (USA). In South East Asia, the races are shown live on Fox Sports Asia.
See also
- European Formula Two Championship
- FIA Formula Two Championship (2009)
- Formula Two
- GP2 Series
- GP3 Series
References
- ^ a b "Newly renamed F2 series to feature at 10 Grands Prix". Formula1.com. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
- ^ http://www.gp2series.com/Guide-to/The-regulations/
- ^ "The regulations". Retrieved 5 August 2017.
- ^ "Formula 2 cars to use 18-inch Pirelli tyres from 2020". Formula1.com. Formula 1. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
- ^ "GP2 Series aiming for V6 switch, but not wider tyres for 2018 car". motorsport.com. Motorsport.com. 16 December 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
- ^ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/motorsport/49537761
- ^ Duncan, Phil; Slater, Luke (1 September 2019). "Belgian Grand Prix winner Charles Leclerc dedicates maiden victory to Anthoine Hubert". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 1 September 2019.