GP2 teams delighted to be racing on F1 tyres
By Alex Kapadia
The arrival of Pirelli tyres on the Formula One scene is also having a positive knock-on effect for GP2 teams.
They have welcomed the announcement that the series will race on Formula One tyres for the first time next season when Pirelli takes over as supplier.
Under the new three-year deal with the Italian tyres manufacturer, GP2 will run its entire season on one of the harder compounds which are being offered to the F1 teams
Up until now, the teams have used a bespoke Bridgestone Potenza.
The change will also mark a switch to F1-style narrower front tyres, and will coincide with the introduction of the new-generation GP2/11 car.
It comes as part of an ongoing push by the series to retain as many links to F1 as possible - and iSport team boss Paul Jackson says it will make GP2 even more important for drivers trying to prepare for F1.
“The change will keep the relevance for the drivers coming out of here into F1,” Jackson told this week’s Autosport magazine.
“They’re used to the tyre, which is a big factor. So I think it will be a really good situation.”
This week’s Autosport magazine contains full analysis of how the arrival of Pirelli will affect both F1 and GP2, plus the latest news on the other changes to GP2 for 2011.
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