FIA GT1 World Championship
 The FIA GT1 World Championship logo | |
| Category | Grand tourer |
|---|---|
| Country | International |
| Inaugural season | 2010 |
| Drivers | Appr. 40 |
| Teams | 10 |
| Tyre suppliers | Michelin |
| Drivers' champion |  Michael Bartels Andrea Bertolini |
| Makes' champion | Aston Martin |
| Teams' champion | Vitaphone Racing Team |
| Official website | www.gt1world.com |
 Current season | |
The FIA GT1 World Championship is a world championship sports car racing series developed by the SRO Group and regulated by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). It features multiple grand tourer race cars based on production road cars and conforming with the GT1 regulations competing in one-hour races on multiple continents. Championships are awarded each season for drivers and teams.
The FIA GT1 World Championship has started in 2010 as a successor to the previous FIA GT Championship which featured the GT1 category as well as a GT2 category.
Format
The FIA GT1 World Championship plans to hold races in twelve countries, with each event consisting of two races over a weekend. Qualifying will involve a knock-out system similar to Formula One, in which three sessions are held and following each session, the slowest cars are eliminated and their grid positions set. The first race of each weekend will be a qualifying race, the results of which will determine the starting grid for the second race awarding full championship points. Each car will be required to change tires and drivers at least once during each race.[1] The points system for the series will be identical to that adopted by the FIA in 2010 with the top ten finishers in the second race earning points, while only the top three finishers in the qualifying race will earn points.[2]
A maximum of six manufacturers are accepted with each manufacturer limited to supplying two privateer teams. Each team will then be limited to running a maximum of two cars. This will create a grid of up to 24 cars and 48 drivers at each event. To ensure close competition each model of car will be tested by the FIA to determine any mandatory adjustments for performance balancing.[1][3] Michelin will also serve as the sole tyre supplier for the series.
To defray costs for individual teams, the SRO will provide free transport for cars and equipment as well as airline tickets for ten personnel per team.[1]
Races
The world tour has visited Yas Marina Circuit, Masaryk Circuit, Paul Ricard, Nurburgring, Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, Circuito de Navarra, Autódromo José Carlos Pace and Potrero de los Funes Circuit. The event held at the Silverstone Circuit was awarded the RAC Tourist Trophy, while the event at Spa-Francorchamps supported the separate Spa 24 hours.
History
Six manufacturers were represented in the inaugural season of FIA GT1, with Corvette, Maserati, and Aston Martin retaining the cars they had previously utilized in FIA GT. Ford, Nissan, and Lamborghini all brought new vehicles developed specifically for FIA GT1.
The first champions of the 2010 season were crowned at the San Luis street circuit in Argentina after the Qualifying Race on the 5th of December 2010. Michael Bartels and Andrea Bertolini, three-time FIA GT Champions, clinched the Drivers' Championship while their Vitaphone Racing Team clinched the Teams' Championship. Aston Martin earned the SRO Trophy for Manufacturers.
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Test Days: Tout sur le Championnat du Monde GT1 2010 !" (in French). Endurance-Info.com. 2009-04-06. Retrieved 2009-04-06.
- ^ "GT1 adopts F1 points system". FIA GT1 World Championship. SRO Group. 2010-03-15. Retrieved 2010-03-19.
- ^ "F.A.Q." FIA GT Championship. Retrieved 2009-07-02.