GP2 Versus International F3000

[oziengineer]

I thoroughly enjoyed wathching Vitantonio Liuzzi do his Schumacher impression this year, it was nice, but I must say I am disappointed to see F3000, at least FIA International F3000 going next year. Hopefully, GP2 will provide some good viewing. Also, do any of you have images of the new GP2 chassis?

[Kicking-back]

The change from F3000 to GP2 will be positive.

F3000 was just left to exist, whereas the new series will be properly managed and promoted.

And I hear several of the teams will have close links to F1.


http://www.crash.net/uk/en/picture_v...d=7&pid=141454

[Russfeld]

Its nearly the end of October and we dont have any Gp2 teams, drivers, cars, or even a series.

Lovely.

[JohnMiller]

Originally posted by Kicking-back
And I hear several of the teams will have close links to F1.

That's what caused F3000 to start going tits up in the first place!

[Russfeld]

Not really, it was the imitation F3000 series that ultimately diluted the proper one.

[Kicking-back]

Indeed.

Now if only someone could persuade the Superfund series to disappear also...

[Mathias]

As I keep saying - there's too many European-level single-seater series. We need one or possibly two (say one open and one single-make) clear links between national level single-seaters and F1. Just my opinion of course.

[strider]

Tend to agree, Mathias. It does seem illogical that when every existing formula is finding life hard and looking to make itself less expensive, along comes GP2, which, whilst sounding to be better than F3000, surely cannot cost less. Not to mention the Eurofund thing, which just muddies the waters.

[Emma]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Well I've only heard rumours about the drivers.

[DanFlag]

More pictures here:
http://www.formulagp2.com/en/galleries_e.htm

[climb]

Costing more than F3000 will be difficult, costing much less as well.
As KB rightly pointed out, what is expectable is to see that seeries more promoted than it was with F3000.

ANd BTW the car is 1,000 times better looking.

[Mathias]

I've got no problem with GP2, cos it directly replaces F3000 which has the 'traditional' standing as the stepping stone between national level single-seaters and F1. It *looks* like it's going to be better promoted and attract more cars too. So all around, the GP2 thing is all groovy.

It's all the other European-level serieses (including some that aren't *really* European at all) that get me: Superfund Euro3000, FRenault V6, FNissanWS (+ "light"), F3 Euroseries (he said, deliberately provoking Russfeld)...,

[Russfeld]

F3 euroseries is almost over subscribed, there's definately a place for the series; however I think the F3 format is wearing a bit thin.

Right now if I had the talent money id go karts>BMW or Renaults>Renault World Series>hopefully F1

The Renault World Series looks like everything F3000 should have been.

[Kicking-back]

Originally posted by Mathias

It's all the other European-level serieses (including some that aren't *really* European at all) that get me: Superfund Euro3000, FRenault V6, FNissanWS (+ "light"), F3 Euroseries (he said, deliberately provoking Russfeld)...,

You can strike FRV6 and World Series Lights off that list for next year, so at least there is some movement in the right direction.

[Rob29]

Originally posted by Kicking-back
Indeed.

Now if only someone could persuade the Superfund series to disappear also...

Sorry not only is it staying but the 1999 cars are going to continue as italian F3000,(with one round at Dijon) Seems that if there is a fleet of identical cars sitting idle someone will set up a race series for them?
One solution for the future might be to keep the same model GP2 for at least 10years,though with current trends they might end up quicker than F1?

[Mekola]

I think the bunch of series is a result of the demand of race seats by prospect drivers.
In the past we had an F3000 with 30-40 cars; now we have four "F2" series with about 18 cars each one.
I'm unsure if there was a merging it would be more seats avaliable for drivers, mostly when GP2 organizers reduced the number of cars from 30 to 24. Sadly.

[Mekola]

But going back to GP2 vs. Int'l F3000, I hope it will be better, mostly when GP2 has a chassis for a one more renowned chassis designer, a more powerful engine, and a support of a car manufacturer. But I think it won't be too different as F3000 was.

[sceptic]

I don't think you can say Dallara is more reknowned than Lola.

The Lola name is synonymous with cars at this level - they've been the main supplier for F3000 at European and International level since 1986, and in Japan for the last three years.

Dallara have always concentrated on F3.

[Mr Jinxx]

I can't post any pictures on here, unfortunately, but Alex Lloyd gave the new Superfund car its shakedown test yesterday - just straight line and systems checks, and it does look (and go) really well. There's a small pic in Autosport, and I've put a couple more pics of the car on www.alex-lloyd.com

[jondownunder]

Thanks Mr Jinxx, that car certainly looks the business...

[The Scrutineer]

The Superfund car looks like an F1 car of 4 or 5 years ago so nothing new or revolutionary there!I still fail to see how it can offer a cheaper alternative to GP2 or F3000(RIP).I must also point out that as everyone seems to want to compete with the last rung on the ladder before F1,that it all gets more dilluted and confusing!Three weeks ago Superfund claimed 600bhp in competition with GP2 and now it's 650-700bhp("mine's bigger than your's").We also now have Italian F3000 to further complicate matter's.So which do you pick if you are a driver?
GP2,Superfund,Italian F3000,Nissan World series,A1GP,Euro F3.Too many championships!

[Russfeld]

Id go with Renault World Series.

[Kicking-back]

A1GP is not a factor in this because there's only one seat available per country, and drivers will be chosen, rather than them choosing it.

Italian F3000 will be a largely "club" series for 6-year-old cars.

[climb]

Originally posted by sceptic
I don't think you can say Dallara is more reknowned than Lola.

The Lola name is synonymous with cars at this level - they've been the main supplier for F3000 at European and International level since 1986, and in Japan for the last three years.

Dallara have always concentrated on F3.

Maybe you're not well informed about Dallara mate, just a short list of what Dallara have been doin gin the last few years, regardless F3 and similars (World series light etc):
- IRL (won 6 titles and 4 Indy 500 since 1998)
- IPS
- Sportscars (won Daytona 24h)
- World Series by Nissan

What Lola did in recent years is not even comparable to it, but what really matters, their cars have often been ugly. not by chance a Lola car (F3000) is being replaced by a Dallara one (GP2)

[Mr Jinxx]

... and as for competition, where do you shop? Tesco, Asda, Marks and Spencers, Shoprite, Sainsburys, Safeways, Morrisons, etc. Competition, as we know from this forum, is a Good Thing.

And, incidentally, the Superfund car didn't look like an old F1 car - quite the reverse. I saw it next to a McLaren MP14 (I think it was the 14/4) and it wasn't the Superfund car that looked old fashioned