The FIA Formula 2 Championship will add to its reward of a full test with the Williams Formula 1 team for the champion by introducing GP2 tests for the second- and third-place finishers.
Williams, which designed the JPH1B Formula 2 cars, has confirmed that its successful relationship with F2 will continue in 2011.
“When we embarked on the project with MotorSport Vision in 2008, our objective was to provide aspiring young racing drivers with a proving ground in which to develop their talents at a reasonable cost," said Williams F1 Chairman Adam Parr. “The championship is clearly achieving those objectives and producing some of the sport's future stars. We are therefore delighted to maintain our support for a third year by rewarding the 2011 series champion with the opportunity of a Formula 1 test session with the AT&T Williams team.”
Alongside the Williams prize test for the champion, the 2011 FIA Formula 2 Championship will reward its second- and third-place finishers with GP2 tests, expanding opportunities for its best talents to progress into the highest tiers of motor racing. The top three will also become eligible for an FIA superlicense, required to compete in Formula 1.
“The continuation of the Williams F1 test for the 2011 Formula 2 champion is a huge benefit, particularly as it takes place over a full day during the coveted F1 rookie tests," said F2 CEO Jonathan Palmer. "Williams are the perfect partner for F2 and they really provide the best opportunity possible for our championship winner. With GP2 being a well-proven route to F1, we believe it's important to award GP2 tests for second- and third-placed drivers to reinforce our seriousness about F2 providing the most cost-effective path toward F1.”