A Race is an integral part of an FIA GP2 Series/FIA Formula 2 Championship race meeting, forming the main focus of each race weekend.[1] GP2/F2 conduct races in two formats, a Sprint Race, staged on a Saturday after qualifying for Formula One, and a longer Feature Race on Sunday before a F1 Grand Prix.[1]
Concept[]
Races involve all entrants that have qualified, or been given permission to start, at each race meeting to compete against each other over a set distance of laps of a race circuit, using cars and equipment that conforms to the sporting and technical rulebooks for the FIA Formula 2 Championship.[1] In order to compete in an F2 race, a driver must hold an FIA International Grade A Licence, and must qualify within 107% of the fastest lap in qualifying for each race meeting, or be given permission from the stewards of the meeting to start.[1]
Sprint Races[]
Sprint Races are staged on the Saturday of each race meeting, with the grid for the race set by reversing the results of the top ten drivers from qualifying for the Feature Race, staged on the Friday.[1] The Sprint Race is then held towards the end of the day's running on Saturday over a distance of 120 km, time limited to 45 minutes plus one lap.[1] The exception to this is the Monte Carlo round, where the Sprint Race distance is reduced to 100 km due to the Circuit de Monaco's shorter layout and speeds that F2 cars can attain at the circuit.[1]
The winner is the driver who crosses the line first once penalties have been applied, and if their car passes post-race scrutineering.[1] Drivers are not expected to complete a pitstop during the race.[1] Points are awarded to the top eight finishers with 10 for first, 8 for second, 6 for third, before positions fourth through eighth are awarded 5-4-3-2-1 respectively.[1] A bonus point for fastest lap is also awarded, as long as the driver who sets it finishes in the top ten.[1]
Rules: 2005 - 2020[]
From the inception of the GP2 Series through to the 2020 edition of the FIA Formula 2 Championship, the Sprint Race was held on the Sunday of each race meeting after the Feature Race, and with the grid set based on the results of the Feature with the top ten finishers reversed.[1] Point scoring also varied, with the GP2 Series awarding points to the top six on the basis of 6-5-4-3-2-1 between 2005 and 2011, before the points were expanded to award the top eight from 2012 through to 2020 on the following scale: 15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1.[1]
Rules: 2021[]
For the 2021 season the FIA and Formula 2 opted to run two Sprint Races at each race meeting, reducing the overall number of rounds but maintaining the same number of actual races within the series.[2] The change saw the Sprint Races move to the Saturday, with the grid for the first set by reversing the top ten from qualifying, while the grid for the second Sprint was set by reversing the top ten finishers from the first Sprint.[2] Points would also be reduced for the two races, with the top eight awarded 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1.[2]
Feature Races[]
The Feature Race is the main event of each F2 weekend, conducted over 170 km (reduced to 140 km in Monaco) with a time limit of one hour on the third day (Sunday) of each race meeting, a change made ahead of the 2021 season.[1][2] The grid is set based on the results of qualifying, which is staged on the first day (Friday), with the fastest driver in qualifying also awarded two bonus points on top of starting from pole position in the Feature.[1] During the Feature drivers must complete a mandatory pitstop and use both compounds of Pirelli tyres, unless the circuit is declared wet at any stage of the race by the race officials.[1]
Points are awarded to the top ten finishers according to the FIA's established point scoring system, meaning first is awarded 25 points, second 18, third 15, and the rest of the top ten awarded points on the following scale: 12-10-8-6-4-2-1.[1] The driver who sets the fastest lap is also awarded a bonus point, if they finish in the top ten.[1]
Rules: 2005 - 2020[]
Between the inaugural season of GP2 in 2005 through to the end of the 2020 F2 Championship the Feature Race was staged on the second day (Saturday) of each race meeting.[1] Points between 2005 and 2011 were awarded to the top eight following the FIA's 2003 points scheme using the following format: 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1; before it was expanded in 2012 to follow the FIA's 2010 points scheme: 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1.[1] Bonus points were awarded to the pole sitter (2 between 2005 and 2011; 4 between 2012 and 2020) and the the fastest lap setter in the top ten (1 between 2005 and 2011; 2 between 2012 and 2020).[1]
Records[]
References[]
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References:
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 'The Rules and Regulations', fiaformula2.com, (FIA Formula 2, 2022), https://www.fiaformula2.com/About/DyImndAsBNFcqYOOm4yWS/the-regulations-f2, (Accessed 02/06/2022)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 'FIA Formula 2 and FIA Formula 3 announce cost cutting measures for 2021 onwards', fiaformula2.com, (FIA Formula 2, 06/11/2020), https://www.fiaformula2.com/Latest/fpa01jHYRHUQK67JSScPi/fia-formula-2-and-fia-formula-3-announce-cost-cutting-measures-for-2021-f2, (Accessed 11/11/2020)