Category | FIA Formula 2 | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Constructor | Dallara | ||||||||
Designer(s) | Luca Pignacca | ||||||||
Predecessor | Dallara GP2/11 | ||||||||
Successor | Dallara F2 2024 | ||||||||
Technical specifications [1] | |||||||||
Chassis | Sandwich aluminum/carbon fibre monocoque with honeycomb structure and survival cell | ||||||||
Suspension (front) | Pushrod operated double steel wishbones with twin Koni dampers and torsion bars suspension | ||||||||
Suspension (rear) | Pushrod operated double steel wishbones with twin Koni dampers and spring suspension | ||||||||
Length | 5,224 mm (206 in) | ||||||||
Width | 1,900 mm (75 in) | ||||||||
Height | 1,097 mm (43 in) | ||||||||
Wheelbase | 3,135 mm (123 in) | ||||||||
Engine | Mecachrome V634T 3.4 L (207 cu in) V6 engine with 95° cylinder bank with 4-stroke piston Otto cycle single-turbocharged, longitudinally mounted in a rear-engined, rear-wheel drive layout | ||||||||
Transmission | Hewland LFSC-200 6-speed + 1 reverse sequential semi-automatic paddle-shift with limited-slip differential | ||||||||
Battery | Magneti Marelli MMYX9 12 volts lithium battery | ||||||||
Power | 620 hp (462 kW) @ 8,750 rpm, 570 N⋅m (420 ft⋅lbf) torque | ||||||||
Weight | 720 kg (1,587 lb) including driver and fuel | ||||||||
Fuel | Elf LMS 89.6 MON, 101.6 RON unleaded (2018-2022) later Aramco Advanced 55% sustainable fuel (2023) | ||||||||
Lubricants | Elf HTX 840 (2019-2022) later Aramco Orizon (2023) | ||||||||
Brakes | Carbone Industrie carbon brake discs with Brembo six-piston calipers and pads | ||||||||
Tyres | Pirelli P Zero dry slick and Pirelli Cinturato treaded wet tyres O.Z. Racing 12 in × 13 in (305 mm × 330 mm) (2018-2019) later 12 in × 18 in (305 mm × 457 mm) (2020-2023) (front); 13.7 in × 13 in (348 mm × 330 mm) (2018-2019) later 13.7 in × 18 in (348 mm × 457 mm) (2020-2023) (rear) standard aluminum wheel rims | ||||||||
Clutch | ZF Sachs carbon clutch | ||||||||
Competition history | |||||||||
Notable entrants | All F2 Teams | ||||||||
Notable drivers | All F2 Series Drivers | ||||||||
Debut | 2018 Sakhir Formula 2 round | ||||||||
Last event | 2023 Yas Island Formula 2 round | ||||||||
| |||||||||
Teams' Championships | Carlin (2018) DAMS (2019) Prema Racing (2020–2021) MP Motorsport (2022) ART Grand Prix (2023) | ||||||||
Drivers' Championships | George Russell (2018) Nyck de Vries (2019) Mick Schumacher (2020) Oscar Piastri (2021) Felipe Drugovich (2022) Théo Pourchaire (2023) |
The Dallara F2 2018 (originally known as the Dallara F2/18) [2] was an open-wheel racing car developed by Italian manufacturer Dallara for use in the FIA Formula 2 Championship, a feeder-series for Formula One until being replaced by the Dallara F2 2024 from the 2024 season onwards. The F2 2018 was the second car used by the FIA Formula 2 Championship and was introduced for the 2018 championship as a replacement for the aging Dallara GP2/11 chassis. [3] As the Formula 2 Championship is a spec series, the F2 2018 was raced by every team and driver competing in the series as a cost-control method. The F2 2018 was Dallara's first ever turbo-powered Formula 2 car and also the first turbo-powered Formula 1 junior feeder-series car since the Dallara GP3/10 in the GP3 Series.
Dallara began the development, design, and construction of the F2/18 chassis in late 2015. The first F2/18 chassis was assembled in May 2017, with the first vehicle completed in early July 2017. The Dallara F2/18 was given a private shakedown in mid-July 2017 at Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours. [4] Codenamed F2/18 it was intended to see its first race in the 2018 season. During the teaser of unveiling on Formula 2's Instagram, Twitter and Facebook accounts, Dallara decided to rename the F2/18 as F2 2018 in a reference for the new car naming year. Replacing the successful Dallara GP2/11 which had been raced since 2011 GP2 Series season, the F2 2018 had large shoes to fill. Built by Dallara at Dallara's main factory plant headquarters in Varano de' Melegari, Parma, Italy. On 27 August 2017 it was announced that the car would incorporate the Halo cockpit protection device for the 2018 season and beyond. [5] The completed Dallara F2 2018 car was revealed during the race weekend at Monza round on 31 August 2017. [6]
The design of the car incorporates a lower nose, wider and lower rear wing, and a wider and curved front wing compared with the Dallara GP2/11 as the series adopts regulations more aesthetically in line with Formula One. The "shark fin" engine cover—a carbon fibre panel extending backwards from the engine cowling—was retained but its profile was lowered. [7] While most of the car's mechanical parts were developed specifically for the F2 2018, the car continued to use the same tyres, fuel tank and brakes as the GP2/11. [4]
The design also features the "halo" cockpit protection device, a wishbone-shaped frame mounted to the monocoque designed to deflect debris away from a driver's head in the event of an accident. [8]
The car's rear wing still incorporates the drag reduction system (DRS) rear wing flap, for the purpose of improving overtaking maneuver assist.
The F2 2018 features a brand-new engine package built specifically for the car. The aging Mecachrome V8108 4.0 L (244 cu in) V8 naturally-aspirated port electronic indirect-injected engine—which had been used since the inaugural 2005 season of the GP2 Series—was replaced by a fuel-efficient 3.4 L (207 cu in) V6 turbocharged direct-injected engine developed by Mecachrome Motorsport (V634 Turbo model). [9] During the car's shakedown and preliminary testing phase at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, drivers noted that the change from natural aspiration to a turbocharger meant that the F2 2018 required a different driving style to its predecessor, the GP2/11, [10] as the turbocharger produced more torque and thus required the driver to exercise greater control over the throttle. [11]
Van Der Lee Turbo Systems currently supplies turbocharger kits for all Mecachrome V634T engines.
Pirelli would remain as preferred official tyre partner and supplier of FIA Formula 2 Championship from 2018 season onwards. The tyre sizes and layouts were carried over from pre-F1 2017 designs and thus kept the traditional 13-inch wheel rims. The hard tyre compound of Pirelli P Zero FIA Formula 2 Championship was recoloured from orange to ice blue in a reference of 2018 Formula One tyre regulations. From 2020, the car used 18-inch wheels to allow Pirelli to gather data on how the larger tyres would work.
The F2 2018 went through a development programme after its début, with the car's launch control being the initial focus. The software of the electronic control unit was rewritten, introducing a new throttle map in a bid to prevent the car from stalling. [12] The issue was attributed to difficulty in finding the bite point, or the point where the clutch engaged with the driveline to launch the car. [13] Further updates were introduced to the car in June 2018 that were aimed at improving reliability and making the car easier to start. [14] [15]
The car gained a reputation as being difficult to drive as the turbocharged engine required a more delicate touch on the throttle than the GP2/11. The opening five rounds of the 2018 championship saw several drivers stalling on the starting grid, prompting criticism of the design, led by drivers Artem Markelov, Lando Norris and George Russell. [16] [17] [18] [19] The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile—the governing body of motorsport—also expressed concerns, with race director Charlie Whiting regularly examining the system. [13] With no apparent solution to the problems, Norris expressed concerns that the stalling issue would ultimately settle the drivers' championship title, [18] while Arjun Maini suggested that it was causing irreparable damage to their careers. [20] Further criticism was also directed at reliability issues that prevented drivers from starting races. [19] Series organiser Bruno Michel acknowledged that the car had too many problems at its launch, [21] but argued that the introduction of the F2 2018 was necessary in light of the obsolete GP2/11 chassis, [14] a view shared by team principals. [22] The series introduced rolling starts as a temporary solution to the problem. [23] The changes were introduced as the 2018 calendar featured three rounds over three consecutive weeks, making the introduction of a lasting solution difficult. [24] Drivers expressed disappointment with the decision to use rolling starts, but also noted its necessity on safety grounds. A start-line accident in a Formula 3 race saw Ameya Vaidyanathan, starting from the eleventh row of the grid, crash into the stationary car of Dan Ticktum after Ticktum stalled, prompting concerns of a similar accident happening in Formula 2. [25] A similar accident happened at the final round of the season in Abu Dhabi when Nicholas Latifi stalled on the grid and Arjun Maini was unable to avoid hitting him. Both drivers escaped unhurt.
The F2 2018 was the first Dallara F2 chassis to suffer a fatality in FIA Formula 2 Championship to date, when Anthoine Hubert was killed in a crash during the feature race at the 2019 Belgian round.
The GP2 Series was a form of open wheel motor racing introduced in 2005 following the discontinuation of the long-term Formula One feeder series, Formula 3000. The GP2 format was conceived by Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore, while Ecclestone also has the rights to the name GP1. The series was organized by Bruno Michel. In 2010, the GP3 Series class was launched, as a feeder class for the GP2 series. In 2017, the series was rebranded as the FIA Formula 2 Championship.
Mecachrome SAS is a precision engineering company based in France that operates in the aerospace, motor racing, energy and defence sectors.
The Dallara GP2/11 was a racing car developed by Italian manufacturer Dallara for use in the GP2 Series, a feeder series for Formula One. The GP2/11 is the overall third generation of car used by the GP2 Series and first generation of car used by the FIA Formula 2 Championship, and was introduced at the Yas Marina round of the 2011 season, replacing the Dallara GP2/08, which was also developed by Dallara. The GP2/11 was scheduled to be used until the end of the 2013 season, in keeping with the series' philosophy of upgrading its chassis every three years, but series organisers decided to keep it in competition for another three-year cycle in a bid to cut costs in the category. The GP2/11 was scheduled to be used until the end of the 2016 season before a next-generation car was introduced in 2017, but this was delayed again until 2018. As the GP2 Series and Formula 2 Championship are spec series, the GP2/11 was raced by every team and driver on the grid.
The 2017 FIA Formula 2 Championship was the fifty-first season of the second-tier of Formula One feeder championship and also the first season under the moniker of FIA Formula 2 Championship, a motor racing championship run in support of the 2017 FIA Formula One World Championship. The championship is sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and is open to teams and drivers competing in cars complying with Formula 2 regulations.
The FIA Formula 2 Championship is a second-tier single-seater championship organized by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). Held on racing circuits, the championship was introduced in 2017, following the rebranding of the long-term Formula One feeder series GP2. The series' original founders were Flavio Briatore and current managing director Bruno Michel. It is the last step on the FIA Global Pathway from Karting to Formula One. While it is not absolutely necessary to do so, most current F1 drivers have participated in either Formula 2 or GP2 before graduating to Formula One.
The 2018 FIA Formula 2 Championship was the fifty-second season of the second-tier of Formula One feeder championship and also second season under the moniker of FIA Formula 2 Championship, a motor racing championship for Formula 2 cars that is sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). It is an open-wheel racing category that serves as the second tier of formula racing in the FIA Global Pathway. The category run in support of the 2018 FIA Formula One World Championship, with each of the twelve rounds running in conjunction with a Grand Prix. It was the first FIA Formula 2 season to feature a new chassis and engine package.
The Mecachrome GP2 V8 engine is a 4.0-litre, naturally-aspirated, V8 racing engine, developed and produced by Mecachrome for the GP2 Series (2005–2016), and later the FIA Formula 2 Championship (2017). Mecachrome GP2 V8 was the sole FIA Formula 2 Championship engine manufactured from 2005 to 2017, before being replaced by the Mecachrome Formula 2 V6 for the following season. The Mecachrome GP2 V8 was built in late-2002 and later completed and assembled at Mecachrome, power assembly plant in Aubigny-sur-Nère, France in late 2004. The Mecachrome GP2 V8 was the sole engine allowed in the GP2 series at the time.
The 2018 GP3 Series was the ninth and final season of the second-tier of Formula One feeder championship and also ninth and final season under the moniker of GP3 Series, a motor racing feeder series that runs in support of the 2018 FIA Formula One World Championship and sister series Formula 2. This was the final contested season of GP3, as the series united with the FIA Formula 3 European Championship to form the FIA Formula 3 Championship.
The 2017 Yas Marina FIA Formula 2 round was a pair of motor races held on 25 and 26 November 2017 at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates as part of the FIA Formula 2 Championship. It was the final round of the 2017 FIA Formula 2 Championship and was run in support of the 2017 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The 2018 Bahrain FIA Formula 2 round was a pair of motor races for Formula 2 cars that took place on 7 and 8 April 2018 at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain as part of the FIA Formula 2 Championship. It was the first round of the 2018 FIA Formula 2 Championship and ran in support of the 2018 Bahrain Grand Prix.
The 2018 Red Bull Ring FIA Formula 2 round was a pair of motor races for Formula 2 cars that took place on 30 June and 1 July 2018 at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria as part of the FIA Formula 2 Championship. It was the sixth round of the 2018 FIA Formula 2 Championship and ran in support of the 2018 Austrian Grand Prix.
The 2018 Silverstone FIA Formula 2 round was a pair of motor races held on 7 and 8 July 2018 at the Silverstone Circuit in Silverstone, United Kingdom as part of the FIA Formula 2 Championship. It was the seventh round of the 2018 FIA Formula 2 Championship and ran in support of the 2018 British Grand Prix.
The FIA Formula 3 Championship is a third-tier international single-seater racing championship and organised by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The championship launched in 2019 as a feeder series for the FIA Formula 1 World Championship and FIA Formula 2 Championships. It was the result of a merger between two third-tier single-seater racing championships, the GP3 Series and the FIA Formula 3 European Championship. This championship is part of the FIA Global Pathway consolidation project plan. Unlike its co-predecessor, the Formula 3 European Championship, the series runs exclusively in support of Formula One races.
The 2019 FIA Formula 2 Championship was the fifty-third season of the second-tier of Formula One feeder championship and also third season under the moniker of FIA Formula 2 Championship, a motor racing championship for Formula 2 cars that is sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). It is an open-wheel racing category that serves as the second tier of formula racing in the FIA Global Pathway. The category was run in support of the 2019 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.
The 2019 FIA Formula 3 Championship was the inaugural season of the FIA Formula 3 Championship, a multi-event motor racing championship for single-seat open-wheel formula racing cars. The championship featured drivers competing in 3.4-litre Formula 3 racing cars which conform to the technical regulations, or formula, of the championship. It ran in support of the Formula 1 World Championship and its sister series, the FIA Formula 2 Championship. It serves as the third tier of formula racing in the FIA Global Pathway. The championship was formed by the merger of the GP3 Series and the FIA Formula 3 European Championship in 2018, which brought the two championships under the umbrella of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The Formula One theme song composed by Brian Tyler, which debuted in the 2018 F1 season, would be used in Formula 3 broadcasts.
The 2019 Japanese Super Formula Championship was the forty-seventh season of premier Japanese open-wheel motor racing, and the seventh under the moniker of Super Formula. The season began on 21 April at Suzuka Circuit and ended on 27 October at the same location.
The Dallara F3 2019 is an open-wheel racing car developed by Italian manufacturer Dallara for use in the FIA Formula 3 Championship, a feeder series for Formula One. The F3 2019 is the first car used by the FIA Formula 3 Championship and was introduced for the championship's inaugural season and scheduled to be used until the 2024 season before being replaced by planned Dallara F3 2025 from 2025 season onwards. As the Formula 3 Championship is a spec series, the F3 2019 is raced by every team and driver competing in the series. The F3 2019 was unveiled at the weekend of the final GP3 Series round in Abu Dhabi in November 2018 and later made its first public appearance when teams contesting the inaugural championship completed a test day at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours in February 2019.
The Dallara GP2/08 was an open-wheel formula racing car developed by Italian manufacturer Dallara for use in the GP2 Series, a feeder series for Formula One. The GP2/08 was the 2nd-generation car used by the GP2 Series, replacing the GP2/05, which had also been developed by Dallara. The GP2/08 was used from 2008 to 2010, in keeping with the series philosophy of introducing a chassis every 3 years. As the GP2 Series was a spec-formula, the car was utilised by all teams and drivers in the championship.
The 2019 Spa-Francorchamps FIA Formula 2 round was to have been a pair of motor races that were due to be held on 31 August and 1 September 2019 at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Stavelot, Belgium as part of the FIA Formula 2 Championship. It was to be the ninth round of the 2019 FIA Formula 2 Championship and run in support of the 2019 Belgian Grand Prix.
The Mecachrome V634 engine is a 3.4-litre, turbocharged or naturally-aspirated, V6 racing engine, designed, developed and produced by Mecachrome, and is used in the FIA Formula 2 Championship, FIA Formula 3 Championship, and the World Endurance Championship.