The first official shakedown of the new GP3 car took place today at Le Castellet in the South of France. After months of careful development, this session marked the first performance and the reliability test of the Dallara chassis, combined with a Renault 4 cylinder, 2 litres turbo charged engine and Pirelli slick tyres.
Under blue skies and on the 3D track configuration current GP2 Series championship leader Romain Grosjean took the wheel and completed a trouble-free programme. After the session he commented: “I’m very glad to have had this first taste of the GP3 car. We have had a productive day with very few small problems and many good surprises, namely in terms of speed. I have been impressed by the level of reliability of the car for a first run.
“This is a great car! It’s really fun to drive and the level of downforce is already quite impressive, although we still need to determine which one will be used. Compared to a F3, the acceleration is better and speed in fast corners is similar. One thing for sure: the GP3 car will be notably fast! The paddle shift on the steering wheel is also a great addition to a car that will definitely prepare GP3 drivers to step into the next category: GP2.
“Now that I’ve seen and tested the competitiveness of this new car, I’m really looking forward to watching the races: they should be very interesting and fun to follow!”
GP3 Series organiser Bruno Michel said: “I am very pleased to say that the GP3 Series is well on track and the development is on time. Today’s successful test run showed our car’s strong potential, and we gathered enough data to keep improving the performance and the reliability of the GP3 car.
“I am confident that it will become the perfect piece of machinery that will reveal a young driver’s skills while providing a safe and exciting show. Meanwhile, we are carefully assessing the costs of a season in our new Series: we will communicate them over the coming weeks to the many teams from all around the motor racing world that have already expressed their interest in this new Series. As previously announced, the entry selection process will take place next September, with the first official test session for the selected teams taking place next March.”
The GP3 Series, intended to be a stepping-stone into GP2, will kick off next year and will run alongside the GP2 Series in Europe.
After a successful shakedown two weeks ago, the development of the new GP3 car continued this week with a two-day test session at Le Castellet in the South of France. The first day was mainly dedicated to engine performance and implementing measures while the second day was focused on tyre testing.
Once again, Frenchman and GP2 racer Romain Grosjean took the wheel of the GP3 development car. He completed 61 laps on day two on a 3D configuration track without problem. “I am very glad that I can pursue this development task. Once more, I have been impressed by the reliability and the overall performance of this new car.
“The completed programme has given us enough data to prepare the next step. There is still some work to be done, mainly regarding understanding the tyres even better, but we are definitely working in the right direction. The GP3 car is already safe, fast and reliable.”
Technical director Didier Perrin explained: “After a trouble-free first day, we could really work on the performance of the car in race conditions. We started with a qualifying session followed by a race simulation. It was a fruitful session: a satisfying set up of the car now enables us to start working on tyre testing with Pirelli.
“Our next step is to calibrate the performance of our car compared to a F3, our benchmark. As we will be testing at an extremely demanding track for the tyres, it will help us understand better how to use the compounds to their fullest.”
As the GP3 Series testing programme continues, the organisation team for the new Series gets structured: Leon Price has been appointed Head of Operations. Price is no stranger of motor racing having worked as Team manager for DPR for four years in the GP2 Series where his organisation and people skills have always been noted as a true asset to both the team and the paddock.
Leon started his career in Motor Sport in 1994 working in composites construction at DPS Composites. In 1997, he moved to the track first as tyre technician, then a bodywork technician and finally number 2 mechanic for David Price Racing in Sports cars. From 2001 to 2003, Leon worked for Arena Motorsport as number 2 mechanic on the RDR8. He returned to DPR as number one mechanic in 2004 while the team was racing in Renault V6. DPR entered the GP2 Series in 2005 and Leon became first Chief Mechanic and then Team manager. He left the team this season.
Leon Price said: “I am very happy to join the GP3 Series. It is a new and exciting challenge! Of course, my new mission will be a bit different from everything I have been doing up until today, but I am quite excited about being part of this new adventure. I am really looking forward to helping to make this new Series as successful as the GP2 Series.”
GP3 Series organiser Bruno Michel commented: “We are very pleased to welcome Leon on board. We are convinced that his experience and knowledge of the racing world will be a real asset to our new Series. As we will be announcing the GP3 teams in the coming weeks, Leon is sure to be extremely busy soon.”
Monocoque and Bodywork Survival cell
Sandwich Carbon/aluminium honeycomb structure designed by Dallara
Front and rear wings
Carbon structures designed by Dallara
Bodywork – Carbon – Kevlar – Glass composite structures designed by Dallara
Safety standards FIA F1 2006 safety standards
Front side rear and steering column impact tests
Front and rear roll hoops, impact structures and monocoque push tests
Wheel retainer safety cables
Suspensions Front and rear double steel wishbones, pushrod operated, twin dampers, helicoidally spring suspension
Adjustable ride height, camber and toe
Two way front and rear adjustable Koni dampers
Front and rear adjustable anti-roll bar.
Engine development achieved by Renault F1. Renault 4 cylinder 2 litres turbo charged 280 HP @ 6500 rpm. Fly by wire throttle system. One rebuild per year only
Gearbox 6 speed longitudinal sequential Hewland
Electro-hydraulic command via paddle shift from steering wheel
Pure two pedals car – clutch paddle on steering wheel
On board starter
Hewland ramp differential
Wheels and Tyres O.Z. racing wheels, GP3 series specific Pirelli slick tyres
Steering system Non assisted rack and pinion steering system.
XAP carbon steering wheel with dashboard, marshalling display, gear change and clutch paddles
Brakes 4 pistons monobloc Brembo callipers.
Brembo steel brake discs 280x18
Brembo pads
Fuel cell FIA standard
Electronic features Magneti Marelli Marvel 8 ECU/GCU including data logging system
XAP power supply management unit
F1 Marshalling system pre-equipment
Beacon receiver
Camera equipment New generation roll hoop, nose cone and face shot camera pre-equipment.
According to Italiaracing the inscription will be closed tomorrow,the teams have a big interest to the series.
Bruno Michel said that 41 teams has already made a demand.