Eighteen drivers confirmed for Silverstone F2 test
Among them is a wide variety of new and returning drivers all eager to begin preparations for the 2012 and fourth F2 season, which gets underway on 14/15 April at the 5.901 km Northamptonshire venue.
2011 runner-up Christopher Zanella heads a number of returning drivers which includes former race-winner Mihai Marinescu along with Comma-backed Luciano Bacheta, James Cole, Parthiva Sureshwaren, Plamen Kralev and José Luis Abadin.
The test will also see a welcome return for 2010 F2 champion Dean Stoneman who makes his first appearance in the Williams designed F2 car since being diagnosed with testicular cancer.
The F2 paddock will also feature several new faces including David Zhu, the first Chinese driver to compete in any era of F2, Iranian Kourosh Khani, who steps up from Formula Renault BARC, and Formula BMW Pacific driver Axcil Jefferies from Zimbabwe.
Along with Bacheta and Stoneman, home grown talent comes in the form of Daniel McKenzie, who makes the switch from Formula Renault 3.5, McLaren Autosport Award finalist Dino Zamparelli and Formula Renault BARC graduate Hector Hurst.
Three Swiss drivers will also be present for the test with European F3 Champion Alex Fontana, Formula Pilot China Champion Matheo Tuscher and Formula Renault 2.0 convert Mauro Calamia. German Markus Pommer completes the line-up.
The test will also be the first time drivers will experience the upgraded F2 car featuring new Yokohama tires and carbon brakes.
The first of four test sessions begins at 09:30 with full coverage, including live timing, available on www.formulatwo.com.
Silverstone pre-season test – entry list:
2 James Cole (GBR)
4 Luciano Bacheta (GBR)
5 Parthiva Sureshwaren (IND)
7 David Zhu (CHN)
8 Plamen Kralev (BUL)
9 Mihai Marinescu (ROM)
10 Alex Fontana (CHE)
11 Kourosh Khani (IRN)
12 Matheo Tuscher (CHE)
13 Jose Luis Abadin (ESP)
14 Mauro Calamia (CHE)
18 Dino Zamparelli (GBR)
19 Christopher Zanella (CHE)
20 Daniel McKenzie (GBR)
22 Axcil Jefferies (ZWE)
27 Markus Pommer (DEU)
35 Hector Hurst (GBR)
48 Dean Stoneman (GBR)
Testing schedule:
Session 1: 09:30-10:30
Session 2: 11:30-12:30
Session 3: 14:30-15:30
Session 4: 16:15-17:00