Jack Harvey Joins Lotus For 2013 GP3 Season
Newly-crowned British Formula Three International Series Champion Jack Harvey will join Lotus GP for next year’s GP3 season, joining the outfit which has won all three Constructors’ Championships in the history of the Series. The Briton got his first taste of GP3 machinery at the Estoril test in November, and greatly impressed the Lotus outfit.
The 19-year-old began his open-wheel motor sport career in 2009 in the Formula BMW Pacific and European Series with Fortec Motorsports, which saw him take only one victory in the European Series. For 2010, Harvey continued with just the Formula BMW Europe Series, this time stamping his authority over proceedings with seven victories on his way to 2nd in the Championship standings. In 2011, the Briton progressed to the British Formula Three Series and in 2012 became the Champion of the prestigious Series with Carlin.
This sensational performance in the British Formula Three Series saw Jack Harvey land himself with a drive at the GP3 Series post-season test with both Carlin and Lotus. The Briton impressed both outfits during the two tests at Jerez and Estoril, no doubt assisting in his “graduation” to a full-time drive with Lotus for next season. Harvey has intentions in following in the footsteps of fellow countryman James Calado, who also drove for the Lotus GP outfit in GP3 prior to his progression to GP2 with the same team.
“The relationship with Lotus GP is fantastic and I’m proud to have the opportunity to enter the GP3 Series with them.” Explained Jack Harvey, “I would like to follow in the steps of another Racing Steps Foundation-backed Lotus GP driver, my fellow countryman James Calado, who was GP3 runner-up in 2010. We learned a lot during testing and coming to grips with the new tyres will be very important. I am looking forward to the challenge of being in GP3 and especially with Lotus GP, because the team has a great heritage. Our aim has to be to push for the championship.”
Both Esteban Gutierrez and Valtteri Bottas drove for the Lotus GP outfit during their time in the GP3 Series, and both have since progressed to Formula 1 for the 2013 season. Jack Harvey will unquestionably be striving to emulate the results of these two drivers, as he aims to rise through the motor sport echelon to Formula 1.
Picture Copyright © LAT Photographic
James Calado Stays With Lotus For 2013
British GP2 star James Calado has elected to stay with Lotus for the 2013 GP2 season, as the 23-year-old aims to battle for Championship supremacy alongside the likes of Felipe Nasr at Carlin. During his debut season in the sport, Calado won two races at Sepang and Hockenheim on his way to 5th in the Drivers’ Championship.
With former GP2 team-mate Esteban Gutierrez graduating to Formula 1 with Sauber next season, James Calado is understandably looking forward to battling for Championship supremacy with Lotus, a team which has previously won the Championship on three occasions as ART Grand Prix. James Calado is understandably enthralled to be staying with Lotus next season, and is looking to improve upon his successful debut season.
“I am absolutely delighted to receive the ongoing backing from the RSF that enables me to take part in this incredibly competitive Championship again and even more so to do it with Lotus GP again.” Explained James Calado, “I feel privileged to be a part of this project and to have the support of great partners without whom none of this would be possible.
“In terms of speed, we showed in 2012 that we were right up there with pole positions and a couple of wins. Now I know the car, the tyres, and the team I’m expecting to be fast and to win as many races as possible. I’m looking forward to 2013 and I hope I’ll improve after such a good year in 2012.”
The last British Champion of GP2 was Lewis Hamilton back in 2006, when the Briton raced for the same outfit. Since then, however, the team has undergone a rebrand as Lotus Grand Prix and currently run in the legendary black and gold colors of the Formula 1 team. James Calado will be striving to bring Championship successes to Lotus next season in GP2, with his eyes unquestionably set upon one day progressing to the world of F1.
Picture Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP2 Series Media Service
Rookie Daniil Kvyat Fastest On Day 1 Of GP3 Estoril Test
Rookie Daniil Kvyat ended the opening day of the final post-season GP3 test fastest around the Circuito do Estoril, setting the quickest time in the dying minutes of the afternoon session for MW Arden. Marussia Manor Racing’s Tio Ellinas ended the morning session fastest, only several one-hundredths quicker than Kvyat.
The morning session began in glorious sunshine, as the Lotus GP of Alex Brundle set the early pace. An early red flag from Mario Marasca, who spun at turn eight, momentarily delayed proceedings, before Tio Ellinas stormed to the top of the timing sheets once the session had been resumed. Several more red flag delays were caused when Miki Weckstrom spun for Status Grand Prix and Eric Lichtenstein suffered from technical issues at Carlin.
As the morning session progressed, Russian rookie Daniil Kvyat began to improve greatly for MW Arden. With only 30 minutes left in the morning session, the Russian shot straight to the top of the timing sheets. However, Tio Ellinas was quick reassert his authority and return to the top with a 01:31.204, only +0.027 seconds quicker than the Russian.
The afternoon session got underway in extremely warm conditions, as the heat began to rise as the drivers returned to the Portuguese circuit. Alex Brundle once again set the early pace for Lotus GP, before Daniil Kvyat and Tio Ellinas resumed their battle for supremacy at the top. Alex Fontana caused yet another red flag delay in the early stages of the afternoon session, as he spun his Jenzer Motorsport car and damaged his front wing.
As the afternoon session entered its closing stages, Carlin’s Jack Harvey momentarily went fastest before Lewis Williamson asserted his authority over proceedings with only 30 minutes of the day remaining. The times began to tumble as the session drew to a conclusion, with Tio Ellinas and then Daniil Kvyat returning to the top spot. Eventually it was Kvyat who remained fastest as the opening day came to an end, several tenths quicker than Ellinas’s time in the morning session.
The final post-season test will continue tomorrow at the Circuito do Estoril, with the session scheduled to start at 09:00 local time.
Pos Driver Team Time Gap 1. Daniil Kvyat MW Arden 1m30.902s 2. Tio Ellinas Manor 1m31.024s + 0.122s 3. Lewis Williamson Atech CRS 1m31.131s + 0.229s 4. David Fumanelli MW Arden 1m31.248s + 0.346s 5. Robert Visoiu MW Arden 1m31.365s + 0.463s 6. Jack Harvey Carlin 1m31.430s + 0.528s 7. Adderly Fong Manor 1m31.465s + 0.563s 8. Eric Lichtenstein Carlin 1m31.555s + 0.653s 9. Alex Brundle Lotus 1m31.580s + 0.678s 10. Giovanni Venturini Status 1m31.597s + 0.695s 11. Miki Weckstrom Status 1m31.703s + 0.801s 12. Mario Marasca Trident 1m32.240s + 1.338s 13. Meindart van Buuren Atech CRS 1m32.287s + 1.385s 14. Roberto la Rocca Atech CRS 1m32.364s + 1.462s 15. Alex Fontana Jenzer 1m32.441s + 1.539s 16. Samin Gomez Jenzer 1m32.577s + 1.675s 17. Emanuele Zonzini Lotus 1m32.944s + 2.042s 18. Ryan Cullen Status 1m33.723s + 2.821s 19. Emanuele Piva Trident 1m33.865s + 2.963s 20. Sheban Siddiqi Lotus 1m37.630s + 6.728s
Picture Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP3 Series Media Service
Alexander Rossi Ends GP2 Winter Test Fastest At Barcelona
Alexander Rossi has ended the two-day GP2 winter test at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya fastest, in conditions starkly contrasting to yesterday with rain persistently lashing down during the morning period. This presented the drivers with extremely treacherous track conditions, as Facu Regalia set the pace in the morning.
The morning session began with heavy rain pounding the Circuit de Catalunya, initially preventing anyone from setting a timed lap once proceedings began. Eventually drivers began to brave the elements and leave the confines of the pit lane, before the Lotus GP of Sergio Canamasas set the first timed lap of the day, albeit woefully off of the pace from yesterday.
As the morning session slowly progressed, Jolyon Palmer rose to the top as still the rain persistently fell upon the circuit. Halfway through the session, Nigel Melker went fastest for Racing Engineering, before Argentine team-mate Facu Regalia asserted his authority over proceedings. Rene Binder caused the first red flag delay of the day, as the Venezuela GP Lazarus driver spun at turn five.
Facu Regalia ended the morning session fastest in treacherous conditions.
The rain cleared for the final hour of the morning session, allowing times to quickly tumble as the track began to dry out. Alexander Rossi rose to the top for Caterham, before further red flag delays from rookie Sergei Sirotkin and Rene Binder hindered proceedings. As the morning session drew to a conclusion, Facu Regalia was fastest ahead of Sergio Canamasas and Alexander Rossi.
Once track action was resumed after the one hour break, Stefano Coletti, Daniel de Jong and Eddie Cheever jr. were the first to return to a less damp Circuit de Catalunya. Sergio Canamasas once again set the early pace, but with the track conditions greatly improving, Pau Varhaug quickly improved ahead of team-mate Jolyon Palmer at iSport International. However, the Norwegian driver joined Frenchman Arthur Pic in the gravel only moments later to bring out another red flag delay.
Once the session was resumed, the sun began to shine down on the Circuit de Catalunya, igniting fresh hope that slick tyres might make an appearance before the end of the days running. As the afternoon session wore on, Nigel Melker and Stefano Coletti momentarily went fastest, before Rene Binder once again brought proceedings to a halt by spinning off at turn seven. Once normality was resumed, Alexander Rossi went fastest ahead of rookie Daniel Abt.
Further red flag delays plagued proceedings as the day drew to a conclusion, with Daniel Juncadella and then Lucas Foresti both running off the track on separate occasions. However, no-one could match the earlier pace set by Alexander Rossi, as the day ended under red flag conditions courtesy of Pau Varhaug who made contact with the barrier at turn four. The GP2 paddock will reconvene for the final post-season winter test in three weeks time at Jerez.
Picture(s) Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP2 Series Media Service
Luca Filippi Shines On Day 1 Of GP2 Winter Test
Luca Filippi has ended the opening day of the first GP2 post-season test fastest at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya, as many new and returning faces once again aim to impress in front the thirteen team owners. The day was run in cool and cloudy conditions, with Dutchman Daniel de Jong also fastest in the afternoon period.
The morning session got off to a slow start, as many of the new drivers got to grips with their GP2 machines and completed numerous installation laps. Rookie Kevin Giovesi finally set the first competitive lap as the session progressed, before Scuderia Coloni’s Daniel de Jong flew to the top of the timing sheets.
The Lotus GP of Stephane Richelmi then went fastest, before Luca Filippi quickly asserted his authority over proceedings before spinning his car at turn 5. This caused a momentary red flag delay, as the marshals retrieved his stricken machine. As the morning session entered its final hour, Filippi improved upon his time at the top with a 01:29.775.
As the afternoon session began, both Rapax cars and Carlin’s Felipe Nasr instantly took to the track in still cool and cloudy conditions. Nasr was able to set the benchmark early on ahead of Stefano Coletti, however Daniel Juncadella assumed control of proceedings only 30 minutes into the session. Daniel de Jong was next to take to the spot, only +0.004s ahead of Juncadella.
Daniel de Jong wasted no time in bettering his time at the top as the day drew to a conclusion, as Marcus Ericsson moved up to 2nd and Rene Binder caused another red flag delay by spinning at turn 5. Arthur Pic also caused a red flag delay only minutes before the end of the day’s running, as the Frenchman lost control of his DAMS car at turn 12. However, no-one could thwart Daniel de Jong at the top, who remained fastest as afternoon period came to a conclusion.
Newly-crowned GP3 Champion Mitch Evans tested for Arden International.
Reigning GP3 Champion Mitch Evans impressed greatly throughout the day, ending the day 9th and 8th respectively in both the morning and afternoon sessions for Arden International. After such a superlative performance in GP3 throughout 2012, the Kiwi is understandably aiming to impress in his quest to move further up the motorsport ladder.
The second and final day of testing will take place tomorrow at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya, with the morning session scheduled to get underway at 9am local time.
Picture(s) Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP2 Series Media Service
Kevin Ceccon Fastest On Day 1 Of GP3 Winter Test At Jerez
Kevin Ceccon ended the opening day of GP3’s first winter test fastest yesterday at the Jerez circuit, in a day which featured changeable conditions and several new faces eager to impress in the hope of finding a drive for next season. Tio Ellinas was fastest in the afternoon session, albeit in treacherously wet weather conditions.
After a six week gap since the superlative GP3 Series finale at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, where Mitch Evans secured the Drivers’ Crown, the GP3 fraternity reconvened for the first day of the opening winter test around the Jerez circuit. The field featured only six returning GP3 drivers from the previous season, with many new faces itching to impress their relative teams.
Despite six drivers returning to the GP3 paddock, several were driving for different teams than they raced with during the previous season. This included Kevin Ceccon at MW Arden, with Robert Visoiu and Giovanni Venturini at Lotus GP. As the session began in cool and overcast weather conditions, GP3 returnees Kevin Ceccon, David Fumanelli and Tio Ellinas set the initial pace.
As Alex Fontana shot to the top of the timing sheets only an hour into the morning session, Australian rookie Jordan Oon spun his Atech CRS Grand Prix car into the gravel and brought a short delay to proceedings in the form of a red flag. However, once the session resumed, Kevin Ceccon was able to reassert his authority over proceedings with a 01:35.451 which enabled the Italian driver to return to the top of the timing sheets with only 30 minutes remaining in the session.
Tio Ellinas was quickest in the afternoon session, as the rain began to fall.
During the lunch break, the threatening rain that had loomed over proceedings throughout the morning period finally arrived, changing the track conditions greatly in only a short space of time. Polish rookie Patryk Szczerbinski set the initial pace in the afternoon session, before his team-mates of Nicolas Costa and Tio Ellinas rose to the top of the timing sheets. As the rain intensified, the Cypriot’s time at the top remained unchallenged as the opening day drew to a close. Tomorrow will see the drivers return to the Jerez circuit for the final day of the GP3 test, before they then head off to Estoril for the second winter test next month.
Picture(s) Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP3 Series Media Service
GP3 Confirms Nine Teams For 2013-15 Seasons
The nine teams for the next three GP3 seasons have today been confirmed by the GP3 Series organizers, which will see eight of the historical teams continue with Ocean Racing Technology the only team leaving the Series. The Portuguese-outfit will be replaced by reigning Formula Renault 2.0 Champions, Koiranen Motorsport.
The 2013 season will see the introduction of the new generation GP3/13 car, which will replace the GP3/10 car which was used the for the first three seasons of the Series. However, the GP3/10 car still has two final outings to attend, as the 2012 season is brought to a final conclusion with two winter tests at Jerez later this month and Estoril in November. After these final two track events, the GP3/10 chassis will become obsolete and will be officially replaced by the much-improved GP3/13.
“I am very pleased to reveal the names of the nine teams that have been given an entry for the 2013, 2014 and 2015 seasons.” Explained GP3’s CEO, Bruno Michel. “We have received a lot of requests from some of the best motorsport teams which proves once again that GP3 generates a lot of interest. In only three years time, the Series has grown into one of the most important categories and its rescaling with a more powerful car has reinforced its position as a stepping stone to GP2.
“We have chosen to stay loyal to most of the existing GP3 teams but we thought it was also important to bring fresh blood into the mix which is why we’re happy to welcome Koiranen Motorsport who has been very successful in other categories. It will be very interesting to see how these nine teams will adapt to the new GP3/13 car.”
The nine teams chosen to compete in the next three year’s of GP3 will be permitted to run three cars each, thus providing the grid with maximum of 27 cars. The 2012 GP3 Series season once again offered us with a great insight to the up-and-coming stars of the future, and will continue to do so for many more years to come.
Picture Copyright © Daniel Kalisz/GP3 Series Media Service
James Calado Takes GP2 Sprint Race Victory At Hockenheim
British driver James Calado has stormed to his second GP2 race victory, after a stunning drive during the sprint race at the legendary Hockenheimring. The Lotus driver started from pole, and led every single lap of the race in dominant style. Giedo van der Garde finished a distant 2nd, with Felipe Nasr 3rd for DAMS.
At the start James Calado enjoyed a fabulous getaway off the line, streaking into the lead whilst a melee of cars negotiated the opening few turns. The usual carnage ensued as the pack entered turn 6, as Championship leader Luiz Razia spun whilst running wide. This had a concertina effect further down the order, as Tom Dillmann and Max Chilton came together as the two took avoiding action.
This incident brought out the safety car, with the track partially blocked by Razia, Dillmann and Chilton’s cars. Luckily for Razia he was able to continue racing, whilst Max Chilton and Tom Dillmann were unfortunately forced into retirement. The safety car period last for only one lap, as the field returned to green flag racing next time around.
James Calado continued to dominate out in front, cruising into the distance. Further back the usual battles for position ensued, with exceedingly close racing coming in abundance. Championship contender Davide Valsecchi came unstuck due to this close racing, as the Italian driver was tipped into a spin at turn 6 by the iSport International of Jolyon Palmer.
Victor Guerin’s miserable weekend continued, as the Brazilian driver spun on his own through turn 3. The Ocean Racing Technology driver was able to continue racing, albeit in last place due to his lengthy off track excursion. Giancarlo Serenelli endured a heavy incident on lap 19, as the Venezuelan driver spun off at high speed through turn 12. The Venezuela GP Lazarus driver slammed into the barriers, however the 31-year-old was able to walk away unscathed from his wrecked machine.
Throughout the closing stages of the race, with the tyres fading fast, intense battles for position were seen throughout the pack. However, James Calado had no such battles as the British star glided dominantly to his second career victory in GP2, just under 8 seconds ahead of van der Garde.
The GP2 fraternity will now head to Budapest and the Hungaroring for round six of this highly entertaining season, as the Championship battle at the front remains wide open.
Picture Copyright © Daniel Kalisz/GP2 Series Media Service
Patric Niederhauser Takes Victory In Heavy Rain At Hockenheim
Patric Niederhauser has taken his second race victory of the 2012 GP3 season, after battling through the treacherous conditions during race one at the Hockenheimring. The Swiss driver was closely followed home by the Lotus of Conor Daly, with Kevin Ceccon 3rd for Ocean Racing Technology.
The race was initially set to start under dry conditions, with heavy rain clouds looming ominously in the distance. However, only minutes before the start the heavens opened and a deluge of rain was dispersed over the Hockenheimring. It was quickly decided that the race would start under the safety car, however some drivers suffered the misfortune of starting the race on the wrong tyres.
After only one lap behind the safety car, the majority of the field was forced to pit for wet tyres. With the rain arriving so suddenly, only a certain number of drivers initially started the race with the wet tyres. One of the drivers forced to pit was the pole man and local star Daniel Abt, who subsequently dropped down the order to 16th. The German’s team-mate Conor Daly assumed the lead, as the rain intensified making even following the safety car a tough task.
As the drivers followed the safety around for a second lap, the race was red flagged duo to the intensifying rain. The drivers subsequently lined up nose to tail along the start/finish straight, as the waiting game began.
Eventually the race was restarted, once again behind the safety car. Alex Brundle and Robert Visoiu were issued 10 second stop and go penalties for not having their tyres fitted before the three minute warning. After several frustrating laps behind the safety car, the race was finally restarted on lap 8 as the 24 GP3 drivers were unleashed into a wall of spray.
Conor Daly momentarily controlled proceedings at the front, as Fabiano Machado spun on the exit of turn 1 and subsequently retired. As the front runners headed down to turn 6, it was obvious that Patric Niederhauser was eager to overtake Conor Daly, and the Swiss driver did so through turn 8 in tremendous style.
The race was amazingly relatively incident free, with only one other driver joining Machado in retiring. Antonio Felix da Costa suffered damage to the front left of his car and drove straight on at turn 13, embedding his car into the gravel and retaining barriers. Whilst the pack jostled for position in the spray, Patric Niederhauser crossed the line further up front to take a memorable victory in such tricky conditions.
Tomorrow morning’s second race is shaping up to be another scintillating prospect, with Daniel Abt luckily securing the reverse grid pole by finishing 8th today. After cruelly loosing the opportunity to battle for victory this afternoon, the German star will be eager to redeem himself during race two.
Picture Copyright © Daniel Kalisz/GP3 Series Media Service
Giedo van der Garde Storms To GP2 Pole At Hockenheim
Caterham’s Giedo van der Garde took his second GP2 pole of the 2012 season earlier today, in a qualifying session plagued by persistently heavy rain. The Dutchman will line-up alongside Briton James Calado, with the second row consisting of Fabio Leimer and Nigel Melker.
The session started with persistent rain falling upon the Hockenheimring, which gradually intensified as the session wore on. With this being the case, the majority of the GP2 field elected to take to the track early on. With no dry line forming on the treacherously slippery circuit, just keeping the car pointing in the right direction quickly became a tough task for each driver.
With James Calado, Davide Valsecchi and Giedo van der Garde both swapping fastest times at the top, it was the latter who managed to set the fastest time only moments before the rain intensified. This meant the Dutchman’s time of a 01:44.022 remained unbeaten, as the conditions quickly worsened.
The majority of the field returned to the pits as the heavier rain arrived, before deciding to once again return to the drenched circuit. However, hardly anyone improved in the latter stages of qualifying. With the two Lotus drivers of James Calado and Esteban Gutierrez both incurring 10-place grid drops after last time out at Silverstone, tomorrow’s main GP2 feature looks set to be a scintillating affair with a highly mixed up grid.
Once again in traditional GP2 fashion, the grid for Sunday morning’s sprint race will be determined by a reversal of the top 8 finishers from the main feature race. The last time the GP2 Series visited the Hockenheimring back in 2010, current Formula 1 drivers Pastor Maldonado and Sergio Perez were victorious throughout the weekend.
Pos Driver Team Time Gap 1. Giedo van der Garde Caterham 1m44.022s 2. James Calado Lotus 1m44.034s + 0.012s 3. Fabio Leimer Racing Engineering 1m44.944s + 0.922s 4. Nigel Melker Ocean 1m45.063s + 1.041s 5. Fabio Onidi Coloni 1m45.129s + 1.107s 6. Davide Valsecchi DAMS 1m45.152s + 1.130s 7. Felipe Nasr DAMS 1m45.420s + 1.398s 8. Victor Guerin Ocean 1m45.516s + 1.494s 9. Esteban Gutierrez Lotus 1m45.613s + 1.591s 10. Luiz Razia Arden 1m45.636s + 1.614s 11. Max Chilton Carlin 1m45.760s + 1.738s 12. Tom Dillmann Rapax 1m45.763s + 1.741s 13. Sergio Canamasas Lazarus 1m45.821s + 1.799s 14. Marcus Ericsson iSport 1m45.870s + 1.848s 15. Stefano Coletti Coloni 1m45.907s + 1.885s 16. Nathanael Berthon Racing Engineering 1m45.917s + 1.895s 17. Simon Trummer Arden 1m45.939s + 1.917s 18. Johnny Cecotto Jr Addax 1m46.103s + 2.081s 19. Rio Haryanto Carlin 1m46.394s + 2.372s 20. Josef Kral Addax 1m46.637s + 2.615s 21. Jolyon Palmer iSport 1m46.651s + 2.629s 22. Stephane Richelmi Trident 1m46.849s + 2.827s 23. Julian Leal Trident 1m47.332s + 3.310s 24. Rodolfo Gonzalez Caterham 1m49.546s + 5.524s 25. Ricardo Teixeira Rapax 1m52.356s + 8.334s 26. Giancarlo Serenelli Lazarus
Picture Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP2 Series Media Service
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