TBK-Light.com

The GP2 Series, GP2 for short, is a form of motor racing introduced in 2005 following the discontinuation of the long-term Formula One 'feeder' sport, Formula 3000. The format was conceived by Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore.

Designed to make racing affordable for the teams and to make it the perfect training ground for life in Formula One, GP2 has made it mandatory for all of the teams to use the same chassis, engine and tyre supplier so that true driver ability is reflected. Most races take place as support races at Formula One race weekends to boost the series' profile, to give drivers experience on the Grand Prix environment, and to take advantage of the infrastructure (marshalls, medical facilities etc) in place for a Formula One event.

Many drivers have used GP2 as a stepping stone into Formula One. The 2005 Champion Nico Rosberg was hired by the Williams team for the 2006 F1 campaign, 2006 GP2 winner Lewis Hamilton made the transition to F1 the following year with McLaren and the 2007 Champion Timo Glock to Toyota for the 2008 F1 season. In addition, all runners up - Heikki Kovalainen (2005), Nelson Angelo Piquet (2006) and Lucas Di Grassi (2007) became Renault test drivers the following year. The first two have then graduated to Formula One race seats.

24) Yelmer Buurman - Ocean
25) Fabrizio Crestiani - Ocean

I'm pretty sure they're only confirmed for GP2 Asia.

I'm glad there's GP2, you're guaranteed of at least 2 good races in a weekend

GP2 needs an Aussie driver... It's getting redicules...

I think the new cars are to blame for the boring races last year, too much winglets and stuff

GP2 needs an Aussie driver... It's getting redicules

Earl Bamber seems to be proving himself in Europe.Maybe he will get the seat soon.

Álvaro Parente is still in negotiations with several GP2 teams, with Racing Engineering (due to being the reigning champs) and Arden (due to connections with the Red Bull F1 team) being his preferred options. Other 4 teams are reported as having offered a drive to him: iSport, Trident, Super Nova and Ocean. From these only iSport is seen as a possible choice, since Trident is crap, Álvaro didn't like his experience with Super Nova last season, and Ocean have yet to prove themselves.

His management team will have a meeting with Bernie Ecclestone soon, and they expect to have a confirmed deal in 2 weeks time.

Source: http://iris.cpidt.pt/sportmotores2003/do?com=DS;6492281623;101;+PAGE(1002)++K-NOTICIA(25106); (in portuguese)

do you ever make a post without any patriotism in it?

I think the new cars are to blame for the boring races last year, too much winglets and stuff

I think Ricciardo is the closest thing we have to an Aussie who is near GP2 level, hopefully he can prove himself in F3 like he has dominated in F-Renault last year.