DALLARA GP2 car

[Miko]

Anybody know if GP2 have unvieled the new dallara car yet? It was scheduled to be launched this weekend at nurburgring!!

[Russfeld]

I thought it was end of July at Paul Ricard

[Kidzer]

Whenever it is, i hope it lives up to expectations, dya know anywhere with full tech specs??

David

[joseramon]

o

[bella]

considering it's not out yet... no!

try the dallara website? is there one?

[Russfeld]

Its a Dallara world, we just live in it

[DanFlag]

http://www.dallara.it/press_releases.cfm/flag/2/id/205

[climb]

I guess that by the end of july there should be the official presentation

[DanFlag]

We will keep on eye on it

[Alfonso de Orleans]

Now that International 3000 will live to run another year, will GP2 actually race before 2006?

[Kicking-back]

Good to hear that confirmed, Alfonso.

GP2 is intended as a replacement for F3000, so I assume it won't start until 2006.

[Russfeld]

Reading between the lines im beginning to realise GP2 is less Renault and more Briatore/Michel.

[Kicking-back]

Just got this from Autosport:

Renault-backed GP2 series promoter Bruno Michel has promised to make available 30 Dallara Automobili-built chassis for the 2005 series. The new category, that will replace the FIA F3000 International Championship, will support European F1 events with cars built to F1 dimensions powered by Groupe Meccachrome 4-litre V8 engines and ‘spec' grooved tyres. Michel confirmed that Dallara plans to begin a 10,000km test programme at Magny-Cours after the French Grand Prix on July 4.

[Alfonso de Orleans]

Well, Bruno Michel is the one that is organizing the whole thing and is in touch with all the teams to get it going. It's not a secret, since he is the one who has been holding the meetings with everyone. I find the idea a good one. It just needs to get everything sorted out and clear and then I think it will be a great championship. Pity if it's in 2006 though. Only the F3000 teams want the current cars so they can save money, but I doubt anyone else does since the cost to the drivers will be practically the same, while everything else will be different. As the Americans would say, it's a totally new ball game. I would love to see soemthing radically different, it's what the sport needs. Don't you think?

[Russfeld]

No, because its not really bein organised with the best interests of Renault in mind. Renault Sport seem keen on the Formula Monza, Formula Renault, World Series Renault concept, and will have little to do with the GP2 format. 430hp with the new V6/Nissan combo series is more than enough imo, GP2 will only hurt or be hurt by the series.

[Mr Jinxx]

The World Series Renault sounds good, with a known quantity in the chassis.

GP2 still sounds a little in the air. Would there be anything else planned to rival GP2 in its position as one step below F1, and indeed its marketing value in having a place on the F1 tour? Or will that place devalue it, as the F1 boys take priority everywhere, have the garages, and would most likely pen off the GP2 teams - the F1 bosses may even be too busy to look at them?

[climb]

Official statement by GP2 organisers on Autosport:


http://www.autosport.com/newsitem.asp?id=27775&s=54

[Kicking-back]

Originally posted by Mr Jinxx
The World Series Renault sounds good, with a known quantity in the chassis.

Would there be anything else planned to rival GP2 in its position as one step below F1, and indeed its marketing value in having a place on the F1 tour?

I think the FIA, realising Renault had FRv6 and Dallara Nissan, which arguably both damaged F3000 have sat down with them and come up with this plan to rationalise the series below F1.

GP2 is a good idea, I think, and will be well marketed.

It's also going to be closer to F1 on power than before, which should help a driver's development.

Then DRV6 fits in nicely below that.

So, assuming Euro 3000 ends this year too, you'll now have hopefully two strong series (DRV6 and GP2) with strong fields, where currently there are 4 series all with low grids (F3000, Euro 3000, Dallara Nissan and FRV6).

[Russfeld]

If they got rid of everything else and we're left with F3 euroseries, and the two Renault grids above Formula Renault; id agree.

[climb]

Yes, they'll also delete Wlrld Series Light

[Russfeld]

There does remain the issue of teaching the drivers the technical development needed for F1, but imo thats nothing a year of testing (which seems to be the favored route in) or friday driving cant teach you.

[JohnMiller]

Originally posted by Kicking-back
So, assuming Euro 3000 ends this year too

Bit of an assumption don't you think?

[Kicking-back]

Originally posted by JohnMiller
Bit of an assumption don't you think?

Not really.

The cycle lifespan of the current chassis is up at the end of the year.

Euro 3000 is struggling for entries, has a big proportion of unsponsored cars and serves no real purpose in the ladder.

With a sensible rationalisation of the single seater series below F1, it would be logical for Euro 3000 to end.

And from some people in the sport I've spoken too, it seems that common sense may well, for once, actually prevail.

[JohnMiller]

Is effectively an Italian series run by wealthy enthusiasts who want to drive/run quick and noisy cars. I would expect them to 'upgrade' to current FIA spec cars for next year.

[Kicking-back]

Originally posted by JohnMiller
Is effectively an Italian series run by wealthy enthusiasts who want to drive/run quick and noisy cars. I would expect them to 'upgrade' to current FIA spec cars for next year.

I don't necessarily think that it is.

The vast majority of the rounds are not in Italy now.

They've tried to pitch it as a place for career drivers - and it has taken some budgets away from elsewhere.

It does damage the single seater career ladder, and would be best quietly disappearing.