GP3 Series
 | |
| Category | Single seaters |
|---|---|
| Country | International |
| Inaugural season | 2010 |
| Drivers | 27 |
| Teams | 9 |
| Constructors | Dallara |
| Engine suppliers | AER Ltd |
| Tyre suppliers | Pirelli |
| Drivers' champion |
 Alex Lynn |
| Teams' champion |
Carlin |
| Official website | gp3series.com |
 Current season | |
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]
GP3 follows the entire European leg of the Formula One series and the GP2 series as a support race for the two. In 2012, the series visited the Monaco street circuit after 2 years of attempts, as they were always unable to beforehand due to lack of room. Like the GP2 series, GP3 gives drivers the experience of the Grand Prix environment, and takes advantage of the infrastructure, such as marshals and medical facilities, in place for the Formula One events.
Many drivers have since stepped up to GP2 since the series began, with the 2010 champion Esteban Gutiérrez, Pål Varhaug and ninth place finisher Stefano Coletti being the first to do so for the 2011 season. 2011 champion Valtteri Bottas did not follow suit however, and instead joined Williams F1 as a reserve driver. Meanwhile James Calado, Rio Haryanto, Simon Trummer, Tom Dillmann and Nigel Melker all joined GP2 for the 2012. Other drivers who have graduated to other series are James Jakes who moved to the IndyCar Series for 2011, Josef Newgarden to the Indy Lights series in 2011 and Alexander Rossi and Robert Wickens who moved to the Formula Renault 3.5 Series in 2011 and Lewis Williamson in 2012.
In the series' short history, five drivers have gone on to compete, or are competing in Formula One currently after GP3. These include former champions Gutiérrez and Bottas for Sauber and Williams respectively, Jean-Éric Vergne and Daniil Kvyat and Carlos Sainz Jr. for Toro Rosso.
GP3 Series cars
The GP3 Series car is a standardised car used by all of the competing teams.
Dallara GP3/10
For the 2010-2012 seasons, the GP3 series used the GP3/10 chassis.[2]
- Chassis
- The car had been designed and built by Dallara, who currently produces the GP2 chassis.
- Engine
- The GP3/10 used a four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbocharged 280-400 hp engine developed by Renault Sport.
- Gearbox
- The GP3/10 used a 6 speed longitudinal sequential Hewland gearbox.
- Tyres
- Pirelli supplied the tyres for GP3 from 2010 to 2012, same supplier for the GP2 Series.
Dallara GP3/13
The series uses a new chassis for the 2013 season, and will be continued to use until 2016.[3]
- Chassis
- The car has also been designed and built by Dallara.
- Engine
- The GP3/13 uses a naturally aspirated 3.4-litre V6 400 hp engine, developed by AER Ltd.
- Gearbox
- The GP3/13 will again use a 6 speed longitudinal sequential gearbox developed by Hewland.
- Tyres
- Pirelli will continue to supply the tyres for GP3 from 2013 onwards.
Specifications (2010–12)
Chassis
- Type: Open-wheel, single-seat, open-cockpit and flat underbody; outboard wings front and rear
- Name: Dallara GP3/10
- Construction: Survival cell — Monocoque contains cockpit, fuel cell and front suspension; engine is stressed (integral) member of chassis; rear assembly contains bellhousing, gearbox and rear suspension members
- Materials: Sandwich carbon/aluminium honeycomb structure made by Dallara
- Bodywork: Carbon — Kevlar — Glass composite structures made by Dallara
- Length: 4,471 mm (176 in)
- Width: 1,885 mm (74 in)
- Height: 1,063 mm (42 in) including FOM roll hoop camera
- Wheelbase: 2,780 mm (109 in)
- Front axle track width: 1,631 mm (64 in)
- Rear axle track width: 1,567.5 mm (62 in)
- Minimum weight: 550 kg (1,213 lb) without driver and fuel; 630 kg (1,389 lb) with driver and fuel
- Fuel tank: FIA homologated rubber safety tank
- Fuel capacity: 17.2 US gallons (65 litres)
- Wheel rims: O.Z. Racing forged aluminium wheels
- Front wheel dimensions: 10 x 13 inches
- Rear wheel dimensions: 12.5 x 13 inches
- Tyres: Pirelli P Zero GP3 Series specific racing dry slicks and Pirelli Cinturato treaded rain tires
- Front tyre size: 250/575 - R13
- Rear tyre size: 290/590 - R13
- Gearbox: Hewland 6-speed semi-automatic transmission paddle shift gearbox and one reverse
- Brakes: Brembo 4-pistons monobloc calipers, pads, steels brake discs 280 x 18 mm
- Clutch: AP Racing multi plate carbon-fibre with steel housing operated via hand clutch
- Dampers: Koni
- Springs: Koni adjustable anti-roll bar
- Suspensions (front and rear): Double steel wishbones, pushrod operated, twin dampers, helicoidally spring suspension
- Aerodynamics: Ground effects underbody used in conjunction with front and rear wings. Adjustable dual-element rear wing with inclination angle from 0 to 10°. Works to create aerodynamic downforce and balance between the front and rear of the car
- Steering: Non-assisted rack and pinion steering system
- Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive
- Steering wheel: XAP STW-Dash GP3 Series racing steering wheel with mounted dash
- Display instrumentation: XAP SX dash LCD display
- Safety equipment: Sabelt 6-point seat belt, rear view mirror, HANS device, helmet, headsock, race suit, NOMEX firesuit, racing gloves, racing boots, rear rain flash, front, side, rear and steering column impact tests, Front and rear roll hoop, impact structures and monocoque push tests, Anti-intrusion survival cell protection panels, wheel retainer safety cables
Engine
- Type: Atmospheric aluminium alloy cylinder block
- Manufacturer: Renault
- Configuration: Inline-4
- Displacement: 2.0 L (2,000 cc; 122 cu in)
- Valvetrain: 16-valve dual-overhead cam (DOHC), four valves per cylinder
- Aspiration: Turbocharged
- RPM rev limit: 8000 rpm maximum
- Power output: 280-400 hp (206-294 kW) @ 8000 rpm with turbo boost
- Torque: Approx. 392 N·m (289 ft·lbf) @ 8000 rpm
- Turbocharger: BorgWarner EFR9180
- Turbocharger weights: 8.5 kg (19 lb) (single, depending on the turbine housing used)
- Turbocharger boost level: 21 psi
- Wastegate: Maximum of two, electronic or pneumatic controlled
- Fuel: Total 100 RON, no refuelling
- Fuel delivery: Fuel injection
- Pistons: Forged aluminium alloy
- Connectiong rods: Machined alloy steel
- Lubrication: Dry sump
- Oil vendors: Elf, Pertamina Fastron
- Cooling: Single water pump
- Injector: Electronic
- Battery: Magneti Marelli 12 Volts
- Spark plugs: Magneti Marelli
- Electronics/ECU: Magneti Marelli
- Power supply management: XAP
- Data acquisition: CAN
- Beacon receiver: Yes
- Ignition: CDI
Race weekend
A race weekend features one 45-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 are completed the lead driver will be shown the chequered flag.[4]
Point system
2010–2011
| Points System For Feature Race | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th |
| 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Points System For Sprint Race | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th |
| 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
- Pole for Saturday races: 2 points
- 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.
No driver ever did manage to get maximum points with this system, the closest drivers who have done so are Esteban Gutiérrez at the 2010 British round, who managed pole position for the feature race, won the feature race and got the fastest lap, and then came third in the sprint race, which equals a total of 17 points. And Valtteri Bottas at the 2011 Hungarian round, who achieved pole position and won the feature race, and then came second in the sprint race, also totaling 17 points.
2012 onwards
| Points System For Feature Race | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th |
| 25 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Points System For Sprint Race | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th |
| 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
- Pole for Saturday races: 4 points
- Fastest lap: 2 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 48 by claiming pole position, winning both races with the fastest lap in each race.
So far throughout the new points system, no driver has achieved the maximum amount of points in a single round. In Hungarian round of 2012, António Félix da Costa became first driver to win both races of the weekend.
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 ex-Formula One driver Mark Webber race under an Australian license. Spaniard Addax Team, German RSC Mücke Motorsport in association with Ralf Schumacher, Irish-Canadian Status Grand Prix, and Swiss team Jenzer Motorsport complete the lineup.
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 |
| 2012 |  Mitch Evans (MW Arden) |
 Daniel Abt (Lotus GP) |
 António Félix da Costa (Carlin) |
Lotus GP |
| 2013 |  Daniil Kvyat (MW Arden) |
 Facu Regalia (ART Grand Prix) |
 Conor Daly (ART Grand Prix) |
ART Grand Prix |
| 2014 | Alex Lynn (Carlin) |
Dean Stoneman (Koiranen GP)* |
Marvin Kirchhöfer (ART Grand Prix) |
Carlin |
*Stoneman started season with Marussia Manor Racing.
Drivers graduated to GP2
| Driver | GP3 | GP2 | Other major titles | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seasons | Races | Wins | Podiums | Seasons | First team | Races | Wins | Podiums | ||
| Gutiérrez, EstebanEsteban Gutiérrez‡ |
2010 | 16 | 5 | 9 | 2011–2012 | Lotus ART | 44 | 4 | 8 | |
 Varhaug, PålPål Varhaug‡ |
2010 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 2011, 2013 | DAMS | 22 | 0 | 0 | |
 Coletti, StefanoStefano Coletti†‡ |
2010 | 14 | 0 | 2 | 2009, 2011–2014 | Durango | 88 | 7 | 15 | |
| Jakes, JamesJames Jakes‡ |
2010 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 2009–2011 | Super Nova Racing | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Calado, JamesJames Calado |
2011 | 16 | 1 | 6 | 2012–2013 | Lotus ART | 46 | 4 | 14 | |
 Haryanto, RioRio Haryanto |
2010–2011 | 32 | 3 | 7 | 2012–2014 | DAMS | 66 | 0 | 2 | |
| Melker, NigelNigel Melker |
2010–2011 | 32 | 1 | 5 | 2012 | DAMS | 23 | 0 | 0 | |
| Trummer, SimonSimon Trummer |
2010–2011 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 2012–2014 | Arden | 68 | 0 | 1 | |
| Dillmann, TomTom Dillmann |
2011 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 2012–2014 | iSport International | 43 | 1 | 4 | |
| Quaife-Hobbs, AdrianAdrian Quaife-Hobbs |
2010–2011 | 31 | 1 | 3 | 2013–2014 | MP Motorsport | 40 | 1 | 4 | Auto GP World Series |
| Evans, MitchMitch Evans |
2011–2012 | 32 | 4 | 8 | 2013–2014 | Arden | 44 | 2 | 10 | |
| Abt, DanielDaniel Abt |
2012 | 16 | 2 | 7 | 2013–2014 | ART Grand Prix | 42 | 0 | 0 | |
 Ceccon, KevinKevin Ceccon† |
2012 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 2011, 2013 | Trident Racing | 19 | 0 | 1 | |
| Rossi, AlexanderAlexander Rossi‡ |
2010 | 16 | 2 | 5 | 2013–2014 | Caterham Racing | 32 | 1 | 4 | |
| Daly, ConorConor Daly |
2011–2013 | 48 | 2 | 11 | 2013–2014 | Hilmer Motorsport | 20 | 0 | 0 | |
| Ghirelli, VittorioVittorio Ghirelli |
2010–2011 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 2013 | Venezuela GP Lazarus | 10 | 0 | 0 | Auto GP |
| Regalia, FacuFacu Regalia |
2012–2013 | 20 | 1 | 2 | 2014 | Hilmer Motorsport | 8 | 0 | 0 | |
 Ellinas, TioTio Ellinas |
2012–2013 | 32 | 3 | 4 | 2014 | MP Motorsport | 8 | 0 | 0 | |
| Lynn, AlexAlex Lynn |
2014 | 18 | 3 | 8 | 2015 | DAMS | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
 Vișoiu, RobertRobert Vișoiu |
2012–2014 | 40 | 2 | 3 | 2015 | Rapax | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Notes:
- Drivers are listed by their last year in GP3 Series. Usually they started in GP2 at the start of the following season.
- Gold background denotes GP3 champion.
- † Coletti had three GP2 starts in 2009 for Durango; his first GP2 team since driving in GP3 2010 was Trident Racing. Ceccon also had 8 starts in GP2 with Scuderia Coloni; he joined Trident Racing for 2013 after a year of GP3 in 2012.
- ‡ Denotes drivers who raced in the now defunct GP2 Asia Series.
- Gutiérrez, Calado, Dillmann, Coletti, Haryanto, Melker, Trummer and Ceccon all participated in the 2 race 2011 GP2 Final.
- Jakes Raced in the 2008-2009, 2009-2010 and 2011 Asia Series along with 2 races in the 2010 Main GP2 series.
- Also, António Félix da Costa and Alexander Rossi raced in the final (non-championship) round of the 2011 GP2 Series season at Yas Marina.
Drivers graduated to Formula One
| Driver | GP3 | F1 | Other major titles | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seasons | Races | Wins | Podiums | Seasons | First team | Races | Wins | Podiums | ||
| Bottas, ValtteriValtteri Bottas |
2011 | 16 | 4 | 7 | 2013-2015 | Williams | 42 | 0 | 6 | |
| Gutiérrez, EstebanEsteban Gutiérrez |
2010 | 17 | 5 | 9 | 2013-2014 | Sauber | 38 | 0 | 0 | |
| Vergne, Jean-ÉricJean-Éric Vergne |
2010 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2012–2014 | STR | 58 | 0 | 0 | |
| Kvyat, DaniilDaniil Kvyat |
2013 | 14 | 2 | 4 | 2014 | STR | 23 | 0 | 0 | |
 Sainz, Jr., CarlosCarlos Sainz, Jr. |
2013 | 16 | 0 | 2 | 2015 | STR | 4 | 0 | 0 | Formula Renault 3.5 Series |
Notes:
- Gold background denotes GP3 champion.
Seasons
2010
The 2010 GP3 Series season is the inaugural season of the Series. The championship was contested over sixteen races held at eight rounds, beginning on May 8 at Circuit de Catalunya and ending on September 12 at Autodromo Nazionale Monza. The title was clinched by ART Grand Prix driver Esteban Gutiérrez at the final round by taking pole position, who won the championship 17 points clear of Robert Wickens in second, who was a further 18 points ahead of third place driver Nico Müller.
2011
The season began at Istanbul Park on 7 May and concluded at Autodromo Nazionale Monza on 11 September after eight rounds made up of two races each and all in support of European Formula 1 Grands Prix. The title was claimed by Valtteri Bottas who was only 7 points ahead of his teammate James Calado in second, while Nigel Melker finished 17 points adrift in third. This was to be ART Grand Prix's second championship in as many seasons.
2012
The season began on the 12th of May at Catalunya, Barcelona, and finished at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza on the 9th of September. It supported the entire European leg of the 2012 Formula One Season again and included the series first visit to Monte Carlo, Monaco.
Going into the final round of the season, 4 drivers were in with a chance of winning the championship, but ultimately a move on the penultimate lap gave Mitch Evans the title with 151.5 points, only beating Daniel Abt by just 2 points on 149.5 while António Félix da Costa finished off the top three with 132 points. The teams title was also won during the last round by Lotus GP, their third title in as many seasons.
2013
The season began on the 11th of May at Catalunya, Barcelona, and finished at the Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi on the 3rd November. It followed most of the European leg of the 2013 Formula One season again other than Monte Carlo, Monaco and for the first time it hosted a non-European race at the last round in Abu Dhabi.
The title was clinched by Daniil Kvyat at the final round with 168 points, beating Facu Regalia by 30 points on 138 while Conor Daly finished off the top three with 126 points. The teams title was won by ART Grand Prix, their fourth title in as many seasons.
2014
The season began on the 10th of May at Catalunya, Barcelona, and finished at the Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi on the 23rd November. It once again followed most of the European leg of the 2014 Formula One season other than Monte Carlo, Monaco and the only non-European race at the last round in Abu Dhabi.
The title was clinched by Alex Lynn at the final round with 207 points, beating Dean Stoneman by 44 points on 163 while Marvin Kirchhöfer finished off the top three with 161 points. For the first time, the teams title was won by Carlin, becoming the first team other than ART Grand Prix to take the teams title.
Television rights
The television rights are held by the Formula One Management, which also manages the rights to Formula One. In February 2012, it was announced that Sky Sports F1 had secured the broadcasting rights to the GP3 series and will broadcast every race live in the United Kingdom and Ireland for the 2012 season.[5]
See also
References
- ↑ Elizalde, Pablo (2008-10-03). "GP2 organisers announce GP3 series". autosport.com (Haymarket Publications). Retrieved 2008-10-03.
- ↑ "The Car". GP3 Series Website. Retrieved 2010.
- ↑ "GP3 Series announce new generation car". GP3 Series Website. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
- ↑ "The Rules and Regulations". GP3 Series Website. Retrieved 2012.
- ↑ "Sky Sports to show GP2 & GP3". 2012 BSkyB. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
External links
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