Highlights

Formula One's GP2 support series expands to Asia

(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-05-25 10:03

Formula One's European-based GP2 feeder series will expand to Asia next year with a new championship to run there between January and April, organisers said on Thursday.

"Of course, it is of great importance that the GP2 Asia Series, as with the GP2 series, maintains a strong and viable link to Formula One," said organiser Bruno Michel in a statement at the Monaco Grand Prix.

"Our inclusion as the support races on the programme of Asian grands prix in 2008 is an essential key in this new venture."

Although dates have not yet been published, the 2008 Formula One season is expected to start in Australia in March before races in Malaysia and Bahrain.

McLaren's current Formula One championship leader Lewis Hamilton won last year's GP2 title while Germany's Nico Rosberg, inaugural winner in 2005, is at Williams.

Other Formula One drivers to have progressed from the series are Renault's Finnish rookie Heikki Kovalainen and American Scott Speed at Toro Rosso.

The GP2 Asia Series will be part of a Grand Racing event that also includes the inaugural Speedcar Series, the latter involving 24 identical 650bhp stock cars.

French former Formula One racer Jean Alesi has signed up as a Speedcar driver.

"The popularity of motorsport in Asia and the Middle East is growing all the time and the Grand Racing event is well poised to capitalise on this," said Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone in a statement.

"It will also give gifted drivers from the region greater opportunity to aim for Formula One seats in the future."

China and Japan also host rounds of the Formula One championship while Singapore is due to join next year and Abu Dhabi and South Korea in 2009 and 2010 respectively. India is also seeking a race.