Pirelli offers Formula One Test to GP2 Champion

GP2 Series’ official tyre supplier Pirelli, announced yesterday that the 2013 GP2 Champion will be offered a day of testing behind the wheel of a Formula One car. The involvement of the Italian manufacturer - who is also the sole tyre supplier in F1 - part of their philosophy with GP2 and GP3 Series is preparing young drivers for the next step. Tyre management is key to successfully stepping up into the pinnacle of motorsport as GP2 graduates have proven over the past years. Keeping in line with that philosophy, Pirelli felt it was important to offer the next GP2 Champion the opportunity of an F1 test.

GP2 Series CEO Bruno Michel commented: “This is a fantastic gift from Pirelli and a great incentive for all of our GP2 drivers whose ultimate goal is to step into Formula One. We and Pirelli have the same ambition: prepare young blood for F1 where Tyre management is crucial as everyone knows. We are very happy to give this opportunity to future F1 young drivers.”

Pirelli Motorsport Director Paul Hembery said: “For the first time this season we will offer the winning GP2 driver the opportunity to test a Formula One car for a day. It fits in perfectly with our philosophy and that of GP2 of preparing young drivers as well as possible for the demands of Formula One. Our test driver told me once that after his first day of testing with us, he had learned more about tyres than he had in his whole Formula One career up to that point. So we wanted to give another driver this opportunity as well, which makes GP2 even more relevant to drivers aiming for the pinnacle of motorsport.”