Dallara GP2/11
The Dallara GP2/11 is a racing car developed by Italian manufacturer Dallara for use in the GP2 Series, a feeder series for Formula One. The GP2/11 is the overall third generation of car used by the GP2 Series and first generation of car used by the FIA Formula 2 Championship, and was introduced at the Yas Marina round of the 2011 season,[2] replacing the Dallara GP2/08, which was also developed by Dallara. The GP2/11 was scheduled to be used until the end of the 2013 season, in keeping with the series' philosophy of upgrading its chassis every three years, but series organisers decided to keep it in competition for another three-year cycle in a bid to cut costs in the category. The GP2/11 was scheduled to be used until the end of the 2016 season before a next-generation car was introduced in 2017,[3] but this was delayed again until 2018.[4] As the GP2 Series and Formula 2 Championship are spec series, the GP2/11 was raced by every team and driver on the grid.
Arjun Maini driving a GP2/11 at the Yas Marina Circuit. | |
Category | FIA Formula 2 (2017) GP2 Series (2011–2016) GP2 Asia Series (2011) |
---|---|
Constructor | Dallara |
Designer(s) | Luca Pignacca Andrea Toso |
Predecessor | Dallara GP2/08 |
Successor | Dallara F2 2018 |
Technical specifications[1] | |
Chassis | Sandwich carbon/aluminium honeycomb monocoque |
Suspension (front) | Double steel wishbones, pushrod operated, twin dampers and torsion bars |
Suspension (rear) | Double steel wishbones, pushrod operated, twin dampers and spring |
Length | 5,065 mm (199 in) |
Width | 1,800 mm (71 in) |
Height | 1,072 mm (42 in) |
Wheelbase | 3,120 mm (123 in) |
Engine | Mecachrome V8108 4.0 L (244 cu in) V8 90° naturally aspirated, mid-engined, longitudinally mounted |
Transmission | Hewland 6-speed + 1 reverse sequential semi-automatic |
Power | 612 hp (456 kW) @ 10,000 rpm |
Weight | 688 kg (1,517 lb) including driver |
Fuel | Elf LMS 89.6 MON, 101.6 RON unleaded |
Lubricants | Elf HTX 840 0W-40 |
Brakes | Hitco carbon brake discs with Brembo 6-piston calipers and pads |
Tyres | Pirelli P Zero (dry), Cinturato (wet) O.Z. racing wheels |
Competition history | |
Debut | 2011 Yas Marina GP2 Asia round |
Last event | 2017 Yas Island Formula 2 round |
History
Dallara began development, design and construction of the GP2/11 chassis in late 2009. The first chassis was assembled in July 2010, with the first chassis completed on 9 September 2010. The Dallara GP2/11 chassis replaced the Dallara GP2/08 chassis in the 2011 season.[5]
The engine still carried over the same 4.0 litre (244 cu in) naturally-aspirated V8 engine developed by Mecachrome but the exhaust systems were altered by merging two exits together on the rear side.
The chassis was used throughout the rest of the GP2 Series from 2011-2016, and for the inaugural revived 2017 FIA Formula 2 Championship.
This chassis was generally not well received as previous chassis packages due to its appearance and the fact that overtaking was much harder compared to previous cars. To combat this, DRS was introduced in the 2015 season.
Another criticism of this car was that they favoured drivers who had experience at GP2/F2 level for multiple years. As a result of this, only once since the GP2/11 was introduced has a rookie won the GP2 / Formula 2 Drivers' Championship.
After the 2017 Abu Dhabi rounds and Abu Dhabi post-season testing of the FIA Formula 2 Championship, the chassis together with engines were permanently retired from competition and replaced with the Dallara F2 2018 chassis starting from the 2018 season.
References
- "The Car and Engine". fiaformula2.com. FIA Formula 2 Ltd.
- Glendenning, Mark (5 July 2010). "Exclusive: First shot of new GP2 car". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
- "GP2 to keep current car to cut costs". Autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. 17 June 2013. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
- "New GP2 car model delayed until 2018". readmotorsport.com. readmotorsport.com. 4 July 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- autoblog.com. "Third-generation GP2 spec racer unveiled at Monza". autoblog.com. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
External links
- FIA Formula 2 Championship official website
- FIA Formula 2 The Car & Engine Guide
- FIA Formula 2 on dallara.it