Pic and Campos Racing set sights on GP2 title attack

Arthur Pic and Campos Racing begin their second GP2 season together in Bahrain next weekend (April 17-19) with just one goal in mind: to win Formula One’s official feeder series title.

The Franco-Spanish alliance enjoyed a strong start to life in GP2 last year, scoring victory in the Hungarian feature race and taking two further podiums en route to seventh overall and runner-up in the rookie classification.

The 23-year-old reckons those results and renewing his Campos deal well before the end of 2014 has provided the relationship with valuable stability ahead of the new campaign, as illustrated by strong pre-season testing form at Abu Dhabi and Sakhir.

“Overall, both GP2 tests went pretty smoothly so we’re confident of mounting a title challenge this year,” confirmed Arthur. “Admittedly, it’s always hard to know exactly how you compare against the competition before the first race, but I think we’ll be right up there, just like we were at the end of last year.

“Remaining with the same team definitely gives you an edge. When joining a new outfit you usually spend the first couple of months settling in and getting to know people, but continuity enables you to save time and start working from the get-go. Basically, Campos and I began preparing our 2015 campaign as early as last November at GP2’s Yas Marina post-season tests.”

Although Arthur was fast and consistent on race days last year, as illustrated by 14 points-paying finishes, the FFSA Team France member is aware he needs to unlock additional pace in qualifying to fight for the title. Hence the reason for he and Campos focusing on one-lap performance during recent testing.

“Qualifying remains crucially important in GP2 and our programme reflected that reality with 60% of testing devoted to improving it,” he revealed. “That said, we’ve come up with interesting solutions across the board and taken steps forward in terms of quali runs and race simulations alike. As always, we’ll only really find out how things shape up when we go racing, but we’re pretty pleased with the work done so far.”

This year’s main GP2 technical innovation is the introduction of an F1-inspired Drag Reduction System (DRS), making the series an ever-more relevant natural stepping stone to motor racing’s pinnacle. Fitted to the rear wing, its activation offers an extra 15kph in top speed and is bound to become a key factor in race strategy. Pic already has experience of a similar system from his time spent competing in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series.

A new season also means a new team-mate for Arthur, who this year partners Rio Haryanto. A multiple GP3 Series race winner, the Indonesian has already tested in F1 and will start his fourth campaign in GP2. And with a driver line-up that combines both speed and experience, Campos is better equipped to mount a potential title bid than 12 months ago.

“Having two drivers on the pace undoubtedly boosts the team,” said Pic. “It’s always good to have a valid yardstick to compare yourself against, but also to help each other out. This is even more acute in GP2 where we have so little track time.

“Rio is an open guy who you can easily chat to; we got along well in testing and communication between us has been good so far. Of course he and I both want to be ahead on race weekends, but that’s part of the game!”

Although Pic enters the new season with high expectations, the Frenchman is fully aware of the challenge he faces given the depth of talent in GP2 this year. McLaren-Honda protégé Stoffel Vandoorne and Sauber reserve Raffaele Marciello both return to the championship in 2015, while Williams F1 development driver Alex Lynn and Red Bull-backed Pierre Gasly are also joining the fray.

“A lot of Formula One teams have elected to place their young drivers in GP2 this year, and it’s all the better for it!” added Arthur. “We’ve got a great field that promises plenty of on-track battles and a close championship fight. I can’t wait for things to get started in Bahrain!”