The return of Formula Two after 25 years is an enormously significant time in the history of motor racing and MotorSport Vision is proud to have been selected to supply the cars and run the FIA Formula Two Championship.
The FIA’s initiative to create a prestigious high performance new championship at a sensationally low cost is perfectly timed. In today’s challenging economic climate cost effectiveness is essential and with a fixed price of just £195,000 (€225,000) for a season of 16 races throughout Europe, F2 is not just a percentage cheaper than its alternatives; it is a fraction of the cost.
This has not been achieved at the expense of technology. The F2 car has been designed by Williams F1 with a team led by Patrick Head featuring a sophisticated composite survival cell tub designed to comply with the rigorous 2005 FIA F1 crash test requirements. The Williams JPH1 has advanced aerodynamics developed with the same CFD computer programme as Williams’ F1 cars to achieve high performance with excellent overtaking potential. The engine is a new Audi 1.8 litre turbocharged unit developing a base 400bhp with 450bhp on overboost. It drives through a Hewland six speed paddle shift gearbox.
To provide unprecedented sponsor value, F2 is not just low on cost but is also high on media exposure. Live television coverage on Eurosport and an advanced dynamic website, together with superb driver and sponsor hospitality provide a compelling package, particularly as most F2 races partner the WTCC events.
With the FIA Technical and Sporting Regulations finalised at the start of December, sponsor and driver contracts were then able to be issued. Following such huge interest it is no surprise that contracts are being confirmed daily and I am delighted with the calibre and international field of drivers F2 is attracting.
F2 will attract the greatest depth of talent by virtue of its extraordinary cost effectiveness, and through its carefully considered format and equality of opportunity produce some of the best future F1 talent in the coming years.
Jonathan Palmer
Chief Executive, MotorSport Vision
1974 - Depailler's Delight
The F2 name returns in 2009 and the formula is steeped in years of memorable racing - none more so than 1974.
The March Engineering team confirmed Patrick Depailler and Hans Stuck as their drivers for the forthcoming season and both would combine their F2 commitments with a full season in Formula One - a common occurrence in those days.
Hans Stuck got his season off to a dream start after he secured victory in the opening two rounds at Montjuïc Circuit in Spain and at Hockenheim, but after securing his sixth win of the season at Vallelunga (Italy), Depailler secured the championship ahead of Stuck, Jacques Laffite and Jean-Pierre Jabouille.
F2 boasted some superb talent in 1974 as the championship top four all starred in F1 during their careers as did Tom Pryce, Patrick Tambay and John Watson, all of whom made appearances in F2 that year.
Click here for more information of the history of Formula Two.