A Point on the 2015 Plateau
Next week, the 13 teams of the championship will return to the circuits, heading to the Yas Marina track for the first of two pre-season test sessions. We take this opportunity to review the lineup for the 11th season of the GP2 Series championship.
DAMS:
After winning three titles in the last four seasons thanks to Romain Grosjean, Davide Valsecchi, and Jolyon Palmer, Dams has decided to place its trust in two promising young drivers for the 2015 season. The first, runner-up in Formula Renault 3.5 in 2014, is named Pierre Gasly. The Frenchman participated in three race weekends with Caterham Racing last year, displaying a convincing pace. He will team up with Briton Alex Lynn, who won the GP3 title last year.
Pug
After running a double program in FR 3.5/GP2 in 2014, Marcos Sørensen has decided to focus on the championship organized by Bruno Michel in 2015. He will line up alongside Colombian Julian Leal, who will be competing in his fourth season in the category.
ART Grand Prix:
After finishing the 2014 season on a high note, Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne decided to continue his partnership with the French team and has only one goal in mind: the title. Alongside him, Honda decided to place a promising Japanese driver, Nobuharu Matsushita, who won the Formula 3 championship in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Racing Engineering
Seventh in Formula 3 in 2014, Jordan King has decided to make the big leap to the GP2 Series for the 2015 season. The Briton will team up with the experienced Alexander Rossi. The American driver will aim to perform well in the overall standings to earn valuable points in pursuit of obtaining a super license for 2016, the year of HAAS’s debut in Formula 1. Rossi has always expressed his desire to join the premier category, and Gene Haas’s team could be the perfect opportunity.
Russian Time:
The Russian team has decided to field the same pair of drivers as in 2014 by renewing their confidence in Mitch Evans. It will be a crucial third season for Mark Webber’s protégé, who somewhat disappointed last year. Meanwhile, Artem Markelov will be embarking on his second season in the category.
Trident Racing.
After a good first season with Racing Engineering, Raffaele Marciello has decided to change teams to join Trident Racing. A questionable choice for the new Sauber Formula 1 test driver, given the irregular results of the Italian team. He will be lined up alongside Austrian René Binder.
Campos Racing
Author of a successful season in his GP2 debut, Arthur Pic has decided to continue with Campos Racing. With a victory and a seventh place in the overall standings, the Frenchman is determined to shine in 2015. He will be joined by Indonesian Rio Haryanto, who will be competing in his fourth season in the category.
MP Motorsport
The Dutch team has not yet announced its plans for the 2015 campaign.
Rapax:
After two seasons in Formula Renault 3.5, Sergey Sirotkin decided to race under the eyes of Formula 1 decision-makers in 2015. The name of his teammate is not yet known.
Arden International
After a timid first campaign that ended in 12th place overall, André Negrão has been re-signed by Arden. He will line up alongside Frenchman Norman Nato, who will make his debut in the category.
Grand Prix Status:
New team in the championship, the Canadian organization has not yet announced the names of its drivers.
Hilmer Motorsport:
Like MP Motorsport and Status Grand Prix, Hilmer Motorsport has yet to announce the names of its drivers.
Lazarus:
Since the beginning of the 2014 season, Nathanaël Berthon has been working behind the scenes to improve the performance of his single-seater. After noticing slight progress at the end of last season, the French driver will once again be lined up by the Italian team. The name of his teammate is not yet known.
