Opinion: GP3 now more of a threat for F2 than before...

[adam46]

With the recent news that the GP3 Series, which was designed to be a contender to the GP2/F3000 feeder series crown that has long been in the possesion of F3. Formula Two was launched to be a cost effective alternative to fellow F1 feeder GP2. But as of yet no drivers have gone direct to an F1 race seat via the Formula Two series. Infact the championship is now commonly considered as a GP2-Feeder series, with some people even going from F2 to GP3, which doesn't seem right.

The GP3 Series recentley announced a new engine that would up the cars power to 400BHP; 120 more than the previous output. The laptimes of a GP3 car around Silverstone are around the low 1:50 mark, while F2 laps the circuit in the high 1:46's. So is it not concivable that next season's GP3 car will be very close to F2 pace? And if so would this affect the F2 grid in a positive or negative way?...

You would have thought automaticaly that it would have a negative affect on the F2 grid, but when you read a little deeper it becomes clear that F2 is far more cost effective than GP3, because it appears you pay big time to be on the F1 support bill and have the ability to showcase yourself in front of the F1 bosses.

But still, GP3's new engine and aero package should be worrying the F2 Hiarache. Because if they still want to be considered a GP2 feeder, let alone a Formula 1 feeder, they need to up the pace. This could even be the second death of the F2 name, as it may be a good idea to rename F2 so it dosen't have to comply the bold claim of being an F1 feeder, as judging by what we have seen so far, it hasen't.

[Go_For_Pole]

New GP3 aims straight at FR3,5 I think. I also do believe that this upgrade leaves plenty of room for a GP4 or something.

[HaydenFan]

F2 isn't a threat nor threatened by anything. It's is truly a category that has no real meaning.

It is supposed to compete with GP2 and FR3.5, but the outside 2009, it has fallen into the depths of feeder series and has really lost. It might have the low costs as a benefit, but is it working? None of the series champions have seen much success elsewhere, with none running in single seaters for 2012.

[ptclaus98]

F2 is a smart move by Jonathan Palmer to collect checks from cashed up idiots who believe they're running in some sort of ladder. He is THE team, and has to use the minimum resources to run each car.

[ivanalesi]

The current GP3 car is already as quick as F2 around Barcelona, there was a test last season when they were running during the same week. Both doing 1:37s, which is "only" 7 secs off the pace of the current GP2 car. The current GP3 car really has a lot of downforce, too much.

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by HaydenFan

F2 isn't a threat nor threatened by anything. It's is truly a category that has no real meaning.

That's simply true. There's nothing to add.

Originally Posted by ivanalesi

The current GP3 car really has a lot of downforce, too much.

I guess so.

[formerf1champ]

F2 (even all the Palmer series) would be a good classes to compete in if you couldn't care less about getting into F1. That is not a criticism.