Giorgio Pantano at the wheel of the GP2/11 car

Next year will mark the introduction of a new GP2 Series car, a machine that will then run for three years and will debut in the GP2 Asia Series’ fourth season early 2011. Since its first shakedown in Magny-Cours during the first week of July, the technical team have been hard at work all summer to try and make the third generation car another powerful, safe and reliable piece of machinery.

For the next two test sessions, 2008 GP2 Series Champion Giorgio Pantano has been asked to join forces. The talented Italian driver will help the team carry through their development programme together with Pirelli, starting with a two-day test this week at Paul Ricard.

Giorgio Pantano said: “I am very pleased that the GP2 Series have asked me to participate in the development of this new car. I will be working very hard with them to try and make this car a success for the next three years. I have been quite impressed today with its handling and general behaviour. Its level of reliability is remarkable too. I have always enjoyed driving GP2 cars. It’s definitely the closest thing to driving a Formula 1 car.”

GP2 Series organiser Bruno Michel commented: “It’s great to have Giorgio in the car. He has driven the first two generations of GP2 cars. His experience and feedback will help us and Pirelli fine-tune what still needs to be done before we start the production. So far, we are very pleased with the results of the GP2/11 and, without a doubt, Giorgio’s collaboration will take us even further.”