Upgraded F2 car set for test debut

UPDATE The upgraded Williams JPH1B F2 car has enjoyed a hugely impressive track debut during pre-season testing at Spain and Portugal. The car ran for the first time at Barcelona last Thursday, 28 January, and on the first day of the test program achieved an impressive 1m 35.7sec best lap – which compares remarkably with the pole position time of 1m 39.0 set by Robert Wickens for the first F2 race at Barcelona last year and the 1m 38.0 fastest time for race two qualifying.

The operation then moved to Portiṃo, Portugal, where the team continued to make significant advances whilst also gathering further valuable information about the new upgrades. Soucek again made substantial improvements, posting a best effort of 1:33.280s Рalmost three tenths faster than the 2009 pole time for Formula Renault 3.5.

01/28/10 The Formula Two car has been significantly upgraded by MotorSport Vision and Williams F1 ahead of the 2010 season, and the F2 team are currently putting the two development cars through a vigorous testing program in Europe.

Increased engine power, aerodynamic gains and new tire compounds are just some of the improvements made to the Williams JPH1B, which is expected to be up to three seconds per lap faster than its predecessor. Detailed analysis on all of the upgrades will be featured on the official Formula Two website shortly.

Reigning Formula Two Champion Andy Soucek has already tested a number of advances such as set-up improvements, new electronics and throttle map in Valencia and Portimão during December. The Williams F1 team has now completed the remaining design and production of the aero upgrades on the two F2 test cars, and both are running in Spain and Portugal during the next week.

Successful straight line testing was completed at the Lurcy-Levis circuit in France on Monday, allowing the F2 team to corroborate that the targets set by MSV and Williams for downforce and aerodynamic efficiency had all been met with extreme accuracy.

Andy Soucek and regular test driver Steven Kane will now take up driving duties at the Circuit de Catalunya tomorrow(Thursday 28 January) and at the Portimão circuit in Portugal on 2 February, where it is expected the aerodynamic improvements will translate into significantly improved lap times.

The official F2 website will publish a full report on the test, plus images, following the conclusion of the program.