Second Season GP2 Asia calendar released

After a successful opening season which started in Dubai last January and ended at the same circuit in mid-April, the GP2 Asia Series will see its second season open in Shanghai on October 18th and 17th 2008, and will be a part of the Formula One race weekend. Going to China will be a first for the championship.

There will be a two-day test in that same circuit prior to the event on October 8th and 9th. Then, the Series will fly to its headquarters in Dubai on December 5th and 6th. After the traditional Christmas break, the thirteen GP2 Asia Series teams will go to Bahrain at the end of January 2009, before travelling back to Dubai on February 27th and 28th. Those two race weekends still have to be confirmed.

On April 4th and 5th, the GP2 Asia Series will head for Sepang. Finally, the championship will close in Bahrain on April 18th and 19th. These last two rounds will take place at the same time of a Formula One race weekend.

“I am delighted to present this new calendar," Bruno Michel, GP2 Series Organizer, commented. “After a strong first year that saw great race action and generated a lot of interest in Asia and the Middle-East, the GP2 Asia Series is back not only with a new circuit – Shanghai – but also with an added event. As you can see, there will be six rounds this season and, as promised, three of them will coincide with a Formula One race weekend. Our philosophy hasn’t changed: we still want to display the best young driver talent in Asia by giving them the opportunity to receive recognition, whilst training them at the top level of single seater competition and having them fight against drivers from the other side of the world. I’m really looking forward to this new season!"

2008/2009 GP2 Asia Series
Oct 18/19 Shanghai
Dec 5/6 Dubai
Jan 23/24 Bahrain (TBC)
Feb 27/28 Dubai (TBC)
Apr 4/5 Sepang
Apr 18/19 Bahrain

GP2 Asia Series official test
Oct 8/9 Shanghai