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Narrated by Professional Sports Car Driver and Commentator Alex Brundle.
The big difference between Formula 2 and Formula 1 is the multi-race format. The idea for this has been to have a qualifying session on Friday and race on Sunday exactly like Formula 1, with the addition of a shortened race format called Spring Race to test the overtaking abilities and race craft of the best performing drivers.
This offers the drivers a chance to shine twice. Obtaining the perfect weekend though is an elusive accolade and often only the true stars manage it.
The sporting regulations state that each driver will be allocated five sets of dry-weather tyres per weekend. They will have three “prime” specification sets and two of the “option” specification. Each driver will also be provided with three sets of wet-weather tyres.
Free Practice:
A short practice session for the drivers on Friday lasting a total of 45 minutes.
Qualification:
This 30-minute session on Friday afternoon decides the grid for the Feature race on Sunday. This is not a knockout style qualification session, and instead, all drivers are free to set times throughout the entire 30-minute session, with the best time at the end of the session taking pole position.
The driver who takes pole position following the final classification of Fridays qualifying session will be awarded with 2 points, as is already the case.
Sprint Race
These Sprint races are run over a distance of 120 km or 45 minutes, whichever condition is met first with exceptions for some tracks like that of Monaco where the distance is 100km.
The starting grid of Saturdays Sprint race will be determined by reversing the top 10 finishers of Fridays qualifying session results.
The top eight classified drivers will be awarded points. First position is awarded a maximum haul of points and then staged down as per the below in accordance with the finishing position, 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 respectively.
1 point will be awarded to the driver who sets the fastest lap in each race. Provided they are classified in the top ten positions at the end of the race.
Feature Race:
The results of the final classification of Friday’s Qualifying session will determine the starting grid for Sunday’s Feature Race.
The main race of the weekend comes on Sunday, this will either run to a distance of 170km, or 60 minutes, whichever comes first as per the above mentioned expectations.
This race includes a mandatory pit-stop that all drivers have to make over the course of the race (unless the race is deemed wet).
When the chequered flag is dropped, the top ten will score points.
The Top 10 finishers of the Feature race will score (25, 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, 1).
1 point will be awarded to the driver who sets the fastest lap in each race. Provided they are classified in the top ten positions at the end of the race.
Crucially for Formula 1 fans a big difference here is that all cars are made the same. This means slight tweaks, strategy and skill behind the wheel count.
The trusted GP2/11 car-chassis gets another season of service and with its V6 – 3.4 litre single turbo charged Mecachrome engine installed making sweet music to any race fans ears.
Built to FIA F1 Safety Standards it also features a 6-speed sequential gearbox, DRS, Halo and allows for no individual developments or upgrades in the series. Repairs of structural components must be carried out by Dallara in order to ensure integrity.
The wheels are the new 18 inches rims introduced in 2020 and now for F1 in 2021. While tyres supplied by Pirelli comes in five different specifications. Four slick (super soft, soft, medium, hard) and a wet tyre.
The new sporting regulations state that each driver will be now allocated six sets of dry-weather tyres per weekend instead of five. They will have four “prime” specification sets (one more than currently) and two of the “option” specification. Each driver will also be provided with three sets of wet-weather tyres.
The drivers are able to use the Drag Reduction System (DRS) as they wish within the designated DRS zones during Free practice and Qualifying. During both races however, the drivers will only be allowed to activate DRS within the designated zones when they are within less than a second of the car in front at the detection point.
During the race, the DRS is available for use after two laps unless decided otherwise by the race director due to poor weather conditions or yellow flags in the designated DRS zones.
The DRS zones will be the same as the ones used in Formula 1 on every circuit of the calendar.
The same safety rules apply: the DRS is disabled at the end of the designated zones, and the first time the driver uses the brakes after activation. No individual developments or upgrades are permitted in the series, and all spare parts must be purchased directly from the F2 championship organisers. Repairs of structural components must be carried out by Dallara in order to ensure integrity.
The hashtag means more to drivers than we think it does, the road to F1 is a real journey through the above categories and along the way they earn the credits/points to be able to qualify as a skilled enough driver to compete.
There are a number of ways that a driver can get these credits for their Super Licence and thus use that as a way to be able to take a Formula 1 seat if they have that opportunity.
Within the FIA Formula 2 Championship there will be license points awarded based on your position at the end of the season.
