GP3 Series to launch in 2010

UPDATE (GMM) Organizers of GP2, including Bernie Ecclestone, have announced the creation of GP3, a feeder category for the F1 support class.

A brief statement said the championship will be launched in 2010 as a "stepping stone into GP2", and held on the same formula one weekends.

The announcement comes hot on the heels of the launch of the new FIA-backed Formula 2 category, which will be run in direct competition with GP2 and GP3.

The GP3 statement said the single seater will have a 2 liter, 250hp engine.

"After the tremendous success of the GP2 Series, I believe this GP3 Series will be an opportunity for drivers, engineers and mechanics who are making their way to formula one," said F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone.

10/03/08 The organizers of the GP2 series announced today that a new GP3 Series will be launched in 2010.

This series will be a stepping-stone into GP2 Series, and will take place within the GP2 race weekends.

The chassis, the engine and the tires will be decided after a consultation with the manufacturers who have shown interest in supporting GP3.

The engine will be two-liters with 250 HP. The chassis will incorporate the latest single seater design features.

The GP2 concept, which took over from F3000, was setup by Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore. The FIA is currently looking to start an F2 series with Palmer Sport and the new series' is seen by many as an ongoing battle between FOM CEO Ecclestone and FIA President Max Mosley to control the upper echelons of the sport.

Bernie Ecclestone
“After the tremendous success of the GP2 Series, I believe this GP3 Series will be an opportunity for drivers, engineers and mechanics who are making their way to Formula One. I wish good luck to this Series."

Bruno Michel
“The philosophy behind GP3 Series will be very similar to what we did in GP2 regarding the performance of the car, the control of the costs, the show, the safety and the training to access to the following category, but adjusted to the level of this new Series. We will make sure that this Series will be as successful as GP2 in revealing young drivers able to jump to the next step. We are looking forward to 2010."