First taste of next generation Formula 2 cars at Barcelona shakedown

Teams in the FIA Formula 2 Championship have had their first taste of the next generation car in Barcelona on Wednesday.

Each team ran one car, with a total of 649 laps and 3018 kilometres achieved between the twenty drivers.

The car was tested by Felipe Drugovich and Tatiana Calderon at the end of last year, breaking cover shortly before the first deliveries to teams.

“The shakedown we did is to make sure that the teams can have a first test of the car before going to Bahrain,” said Formula 2 Technical Director Pierre-Alain Michot.

“It’s just done with one car so they can fully focus on the intricacies of the operation of the car instead of splitting their attentions across two.”

“They get two sets of tyres, they can run both drivers if they wish during the day, there’s no requirement in that respect for both drivers to be on track.

“They can do whatever mileage they wish to also. The only thing we limit is the number of sets of tyres they can use in the dry. Fortunately, the weather was good so there were no limitations in terms of run plans.”

“It was so nice to get back behind the wheel!” said ART Grand Prix driver Victor Martins.

“The first feeling of the car is that it does not change a lot compared to last year’s, so I will be able to put my experience to good use for the new season.”

“Everything went fine with no reliability issues. It’s a very positive start.

“Today was also about checking the aerodynamics because that’s the biggest change compared to the previous car, and to start working on set-up that will be relevant for when we go to Bahrain.”

Teams will have three days of running at the pre-season test in Bahrain before the season begins 28 February at the Bahrain Grand Prix.