The GP2 and GP3 2013 seasons have come to a close with four thrilling races at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.
All four titles were won over the final race weekend. Fabio Leimer took this year's GP2 title on Saturday and RUSSIAN TIME won the teams' championship on Sunday. In the GP3 series, Toro Rosso's 2014 F1 driver Daniil Kvyat took this year's crown and ART Grand Prix raced to the teams' title.
Five drivers went into the season finale at the stunning Yas Marina track with a chance of winning the GP2 crown. However, James Calado fell out of the running after being handed a five-place grid penalty for qualifying. He needed to take the additional four points for pole position to be in with a shout of the 2013 championship.
Leimer's title rival Sam Bird started the race in second place, two positions ahead of the Swiss driver, but stalled on the grid. He got going again and benefited from an early safety car due to a scary crash between Jon Lancaster and his team-mate Tom Dillmann. Lancaster was launched over a kerb at turn six, landing on top of Dillmann's head.
The Frenchman emerged from the crash with minor injuries but was not given the all clear to race on Sunday. Out front, Alexander Rossi used a brilliant strategy and some stunning out laps after his compulsory pit stop to take the lead back from Jolyon Palmer and take his debut GP2 victory.
Behind Palmer, Leimer lost the final podium position to Marcus Ericson but with his nearest rival Sam Bird finishing in 10th; his fourth place finish was enough to take the 2013 title. The 24-year-old had a strong start to the year before a difficult run of five races without scoring a point. However, strong consistency and a number of podiums - plus another win in Italy - helped propel him to title glory.
RUSSIAN TIME made their GP2 debut this season with the main aim of taking the teams' title at their first attempt. Despite being one driver down, Carlin's non-score and just one car in the points for Racing Engineering meant that Bird's sole fourth place in the second race was enough to take the crown.
The sprint race started in dramatic style on Sunday after pole-sitter Johnny Cecotto Junior collided with Felipe Nasr at turn one. James Calado, Force India's reserve driver, had a perfect start to take the lead early on. The Brit had to contend with two safety car periods and a late challenge from Dani Clos to win the final race of the year.
Meanwhile in the feeder series to GP2, Daniil Kvyat dominated the first race of the weekend to take the GP3 crown. The young Russian, who will step up to F1 with Toro Rosso next season, set the pace in practice before taking pole position on Saturday morning.
He led every lap of the race to take the win and, with it, the title. It was a stunning display from the MW Arden driver, ending his season in the best possible style. Six drivers went into the weekend with a shot at the title with Facu Regalia heading to Abu Dhabi at the top of the standings.
However the Argentine could only manage 16th place after starting from 10th on the grid. The second and final 2013 GP3 race took place on Sunday morning and was won by Marussia F1 Team junior driver Tio Ellinas. The Cypriot started the season with a win and ended it in a similar fashion.
Dean Stoneman had a fantastic return to single-seaters after three years out. After sixth in race one, he finished runner-up in race two after a brilliant start. The Brit had planned to race alongside Daniel Ricciardo at ISR in the Formula Renault 3.5 series in 2011 but he was diagnosed with testicular cancer and forced to take a season out of racing.
Fortunately he beat the disease and competed in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB championship this season. His race to second in the final GP3 race of the season was truly inspiring. Conor Daly rounded out the podium finishers and cemented third in the driver's standings.
During the end of season GP2 and GP3 awards evening, it was revealed that both series' will be on the support bull for the 2014 Russian Grand Prix which is scheduled for October 3-5 next year.
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| Images (c) GP3 Media and GP2 Media |
Five drivers went into the season finale at the stunning Yas Marina track with a chance of winning the GP2 crown. However, James Calado fell out of the running after being handed a five-place grid penalty for qualifying. He needed to take the additional four points for pole position to be in with a shout of the 2013 championship.
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| (c) GP2 Media |
Leimer's title rival Sam Bird started the race in second place, two positions ahead of the Swiss driver, but stalled on the grid. He got going again and benefited from an early safety car due to a scary crash between Jon Lancaster and his team-mate Tom Dillmann. Lancaster was launched over a kerb at turn six, landing on top of Dillmann's head.
The Frenchman emerged from the crash with minor injuries but was not given the all clear to race on Sunday. Out front, Alexander Rossi used a brilliant strategy and some stunning out laps after his compulsory pit stop to take the lead back from Jolyon Palmer and take his debut GP2 victory.
Behind Palmer, Leimer lost the final podium position to Marcus Ericson but with his nearest rival Sam Bird finishing in 10th; his fourth place finish was enough to take the 2013 title. The 24-year-old had a strong start to the year before a difficult run of five races without scoring a point. However, strong consistency and a number of podiums - plus another win in Italy - helped propel him to title glory.
RUSSIAN TIME made their GP2 debut this season with the main aim of taking the teams' title at their first attempt. Despite being one driver down, Carlin's non-score and just one car in the points for Racing Engineering meant that Bird's sole fourth place in the second race was enough to take the crown.
The sprint race started in dramatic style on Sunday after pole-sitter Johnny Cecotto Junior collided with Felipe Nasr at turn one. James Calado, Force India's reserve driver, had a perfect start to take the lead early on. The Brit had to contend with two safety car periods and a late challenge from Dani Clos to win the final race of the year.
 |
| (c) GP3 Media |
Meanwhile in the feeder series to GP2, Daniil Kvyat dominated the first race of the weekend to take the GP3 crown. The young Russian, who will step up to F1 with Toro Rosso next season, set the pace in practice before taking pole position on Saturday morning.
He led every lap of the race to take the win and, with it, the title. It was a stunning display from the MW Arden driver, ending his season in the best possible style. Six drivers went into the weekend with a shot at the title with Facu Regalia heading to Abu Dhabi at the top of the standings.
However the Argentine could only manage 16th place after starting from 10th on the grid. The second and final 2013 GP3 race took place on Sunday morning and was won by Marussia F1 Team junior driver Tio Ellinas. The Cypriot started the season with a win and ended it in a similar fashion.
Dean Stoneman had a fantastic return to single-seaters after three years out. After sixth in race one, he finished runner-up in race two after a brilliant start. The Brit had planned to race alongside Daniel Ricciardo at ISR in the Formula Renault 3.5 series in 2011 but he was diagnosed with testicular cancer and forced to take a season out of racing.
Fortunately he beat the disease and competed in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB championship this season. His race to second in the final GP3 race of the season was truly inspiring. Conor Daly rounded out the podium finishers and cemented third in the driver's standings.
During the end of season GP2 and GP3 awards evening, it was revealed that both series' will be on the support bull for the 2014 Russian Grand Prix which is scheduled for October 3-5 next year.
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