Reduced cost and more track time for 2011 FIA F2

The price of competing in the 2011 FIA Formula Two Championship has been confirmed at just £225,000 + VAT for the 16 races over eight events, a major reduction from the already remarkably low £275,000 cost of the 2010 season. Furthermore, the race weekend schedule has been enhanced to provide substantially more track time to help young drivers learn and gain experience, with the two Friday 30 minute practice sessions each now increased by 50% to 45 minutes, and the second Sunday race being increased from 30 minutes to 40 minutes, like the first Saturday race.

F2’s Chief Executive Jonathan Palmer said: “A primary objective for the FIA with the new Formula Two Championship has been to provide outstanding accessibility for talented aspiring F1 drivers, recognizing that many do not have access to the budgets required to run with a team capable of winning in comparable international single seater championships. It is so important too that drivers at this level have the greatest opportunity to develop their skills during a season from extensive track time. We have also preserved the structure of the race two grid being derived from its own qualifying session to ensure that a bad practice or first qualifying does not compromise the whole weekend."

Drivers contesting the 2011 F2 championship will actually benefit from more total track time than ever before, with 30 hours 40 minutes compared with 28 hours 30 minutes in 2010. The 2011 FIA Formula Two Championship will run in partnership with the very successful GT Open Series, run by Jes£s Pareja through his Spanish based GT Sport operation. At the final 2010 round at Barcelona, Sébastien Loeb was the latest high profile driver to race in the series.

“The 2011 F2 season will undoubtedly be our best yet," commented Jonathan Palmer. “We are delighted to have been able to deliver what drivers want at an astonishingly affordable budget. Drivers know that for the £225,000 contract fee they will be provided with a car capable of winning the championship and that is not only absolutely unique in motor racing but also tremendously encouraging. There is no doubt that, as in 2009, F2 will be over-subscribed for 2011."