Wraps come off new Formula 2 car

MotorSport Vision – the company headed by ex-Formula 2 champion Jonathan Palmer – launched the new F2 series at Brands Hatch, showing the new car to the public for the first time.

As test driver Steven Kane lapped the Indy circuit in the Williams-designed JP1, the talk of the day was the low cost of competing in the new championship, which returns as an international series for the first time in 25 years. Placed between GP2 and Formula 3 in terms of power, the cost of racing for a full season is only £195,000, compared to over £1m for GP2. Much of this has been achieved by having all the cars maintained and run solely by MSV, in the same way as Formula Palmer Audi.

The first F2 event will be held at Valencia on May 29-31, and the championship will then head to Brno, Spa-Francorchamps, Brands Hatch, Donington, Oschersleben, Imola and finally to Barcelona, with two races at each venue.

Drivers from more than 15 countries have signed up already, including the ex-GP2 driver Andy Soucek, Henry Surtees, Alex Brundle, Jolyon Palmer, respective Spanish and Italian F3 champions Germán Sánchez and Mirko Bortolotti, and Formula Palmer Audi Champion Jason Moore.

The top three finishers in the new F2 championship will be awarded Grand Prix Superlicences, while the champion will get a full Williams F1 test.