2014 GP2 silly season

[Japanese Samurai]

Takuya Izawa to Compete in the GP2 Series from the 2014 Season
http://world.honda.com/news/2014/c14...ies/index.html

[Hawkwood]

Alongside Izawa Vandoorne is confirmed (assuming he wasn't already!)
http://www.crash.net/gp2/news/199660...and-izawa.html

[TR Motorsport]

So here's the grid so far:

Russian Time-
TBA, TBA
Carlin-
Leal, TBA
Racing Engineering-
TBA, TBA
DAMS-
Palmer, Richelmi
ART Grand Prix-
Vandoorne, Izawa
Hilmer Motorsport-
Abt, TBA
Rapax Team-
Trummer, TBA
Arden International-
Binder, Negrao
Caterham Racing-
Rossi, Haryanto
MP Motorsport-
TBA, TBA
Trident Racing-
TBA, TBA
Venezuela GP Lazarus-
TBA, TBA
Campos Racing-
Pic, TBA

Any thoughts on who could fill the remaining fourteen seats on the 2014 GP2 grid?

[Mekola]

Regalia is close to Hilmer according to sources.

[Juntos]

Sounds that Tom "Dill-man" will repeat with Russian Time.

[TR Motorsport]

De Jong confirmed at MP Motorsport for 2014:

http://www.paddockscout.com/de-jong-...rsport-in-gp2/

[kurski]

Sahara Force India has expanded its driver development programme by teaming up with Hilmer Motorsport to create Sahara Force India's official GP2 team. Facu Regalia completes German squad 2014 line up.

[bella]

i think it's really positive for gp2 that f1 teams are linking up with gp2 teams. honestly, i don't know why it isn't in the rules that every f1 team has to have at least a gp2 team with a similar setup to caterham.

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by kurski

Sahara Force India has expanded its driver development programme by teaming up with Hilmer Motorsport to create Sahara Force India's official GP2 team. Facu Regalia completes German squad 2014 line up.

Great news! I'm very happy for Facu and Argentine motorsport fans.

[BtccLee]

Originally Posted by bella

i think it's really positive for gp2 that f1 teams are linking up with gp2 teams. honestly, i don't know why it isn't in the rules that every f1 team has to have at least a gp2 team with a similar setup to caterham.

I remember reading an article in Autosport about how teams were beginning to realise that training drivers from an early age is a great way of developing sponsorship links, sponsors would rather be related to a driver than a team. It's turning out to be quite true. It's good for GP2 and a very positive sign for F1 and shows the sport is finally adapting.

[FFfan]

Originally Posted by BtccLee

I remember reading an article in Autosport about how teams were beginning to realise that training drivers from an early age is a great way of developing sponsorship links, sponsors would rather be related to a driver than a team. It's turning out to be quite true. It's good for GP2 and a very positive sign for F1 and shows the sport is finally adapting.

Actually its not exactly a new idea. Back in the day F1 teams would also enter F2 & F3 as well. Lotus even ran cars in the BTCC with Jim Clark winning the title in 1964 between his two F1 titles in 63 & 65.

[p-matt]

Sensible move to mandate that both types of tyre are used in the feature. The prime-prime-write off the sprint race strategies were a bit ridiculous last year

[bella]

yep, i agree entirely. it's a really good move. certainly removes one of the issues i had with using 2 tyre compounds to encourage strategy.

now all they need to do is make sure that idiotic driving receives the relevant punishment consistently

[ivanalesi]

With Force India and Vandoorne, this is another very positive news about GP2. Also the 15 extra minutes of practice will help the rookies.

[Formulahistory]

There are rumours for Kimiya Sato going to Campos

[el_cat]

Originally Posted by Formulahistory

There are rumours for Kimiya Sato going to Campos

More than just rumours.......

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/112536

[Mekola]

A certain Taki Inoue managed Kimiya Sato to bring in into the series...

[Formulahistory]

Rumpfkeil is out at Russian Time, Dillmann lost cockpit.
In GP3 Eriksson, Pommer and Kirchhöfer are also out...

[ivanalesi]

I think the right think is to say Russian Time is out of GP2 & GP3. There isn't much time to find another base, engineers and mechanics for 2 championships.

[TR Motorsport]

Originally Posted by Formulahistory

Rumpfkeil is out at Russian Time, Dillmann lost cockpit.
In GP3 Eriksson, Pommer and Kirchhöfer are also out...

Feel so sorry for Dillmann, this was the year he really had the chance to challenge for the championship, with his seat guaranteed for the season, now thanks to Motopark's stupid and odd decision he has been left out in the cold, just like so often in his career...

[TR Motorsport]

However Russian Time will be on the grid this year in both GP2 and GP3, so there is a glimmer of hope for Dillmann I suppose...

http://www1.skysports.com/f1/news/29...al-of-motopark

[bella]

Originally Posted by TR Motorsport

...now thanks to Motopark's stupid and odd decision he has been left out in the cold, just like so often in his career...

unless you know the ins and outs of the decision, exactly what the deal was and why they turned down then i'd refrain from calling it that. it's a shame for tom, but was he really getting anywhere?

[Nikki Katz]

I think that Russian Time's success was really centered around Mazepa; now that he's gone the company has suddenly become very budget sensitive, hence the split with Motopark and likely Dillmann. It's a real shame, they made such an impact last year, arguably more so than iSport managed. They say that the team's still around and it likely will be, but I'd be surprised if they were front runners.

[Go_For_Pole]

Even if the team ends up signing two budgeted drivers all that this would mean is that this particular team will be like the other GP2 teams. If the owners are willing and capable there is nothing to prevent them from winning.

[chunterer]

I thought Motoparks statement about the split was clearly nodding towards reasons of self preservation. I.E. there wouldn't be the budget in place to continue?