The opening pre-season test of the 2015 GP2 season will begin tomorrow at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi.
The teams will spend three days preparing and testing their cars in order to be ready for the first event of the season, which will take place alongside the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in April.
The eleventh season of the feeder series will see the introduction of DRS implemented onto the cars, in an effort to bring GP2 closer to the skill level of Formula 1. Teams will be allowed to use the DRS in the pre-season tests, with the activation zones being the same as those used in Formula 1.
As well as many already-established drivers on the grid, 2015 will also see a number of new faces making their debuts.
Reigning champions DAMS will field an all-new line up for 2015, with GP3 champion and Williams F1 development driver Alex Lynn making his debut in the category alongside Pierre Gasly, who debuted with Caterham Racing halfway through 2014 and finished runner up in Formula Renault 3.5 the same year.
Carlin retain Julian Leal for a second year, with the Colombian still searching for his first victory in GP2. He will be joined by Danish driver Marco Sorensen, who joined the series halfway through 2014 with the MP Motorsport team, recording his first victory in Sochi.
McLaren junior and title favourite Stoffel Vandoorne will embark on his second campaign in GP2, after staying on with ART Grand Prix. His team mate will be debutant Nobuharu Matsushita, the 2014 Japanese Formula 3 champion.
Racing Engineering have gone for two new drivers for 2015, after signing race winner Alexander Rossi and rookie Jordan King, while Russian Time will field an unchanged line-up of 2014 title contender Mitch Evans and Artem Markelov.
Trident have gone for an experienced line up in 2015, signing race winner Raffaele Marciello to the team to partner Rene Binder, who will be contesting his fourth season of GP2. Arthur Pic has been retained by Campos Racing, and is seen to be a dark horse for the championship. He will be joined at the Spanish squad by Rio Haryanto.
Daniel de Jong will stay with his family-run MP Motorsport team for 2015. His team mate for the season has not yet been confirmed, but for the opening pre-season test he will be joined by Vittorio Ghirelli. Rapax will bring two rookies into GP2, with Sauber protege Sergey Sirotkin joining from Formula Renault 3.5 and Robert Visoiu graduating from GP2.
After gradual improvements throughout 2014, Andre Negrao has been given a second term by Arden International, and will be partnered by French driver Norman Nato, who switches over to GP2 from Formula Renault 3.5. New to GP2, Status Grand Prix have signed Marlon Stockinger to compete for them. GP3 race winner Richie Stanaway will test for the team in Abu Dhabi, but a team mate to Stockinger is yet to be announced.
Hilmer Motorsport have yet to announce either driver for 2015, but for the Abu Dhabi test will field Sergio Canamasas and one time GP2 racer Axcil Jefferies. Finally, Lazarus will stick with Nathanael Berthon, who will be teamed up with Zoel Amberg.
The session will begin tomorrow (09/03) at 9am local time, and will run until 5pm, with an hour break for lunch at midday.
All images courtesy of GP2 Media
Entry List
DAMS
01. Pierre Gasly (FRA)
02. Alex Lynn (GBR)
Carlin
03. Julian Leal (COL)
04. Marco Sorensen (DEN)
ART Grand Prix
05. Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL)
06. Nobuharu Matsushita (JAP)
Racing Engineering
07. Jordan King (GBR)
08. Alexander Rossi (USA)
RUSSIAN TIME
09. Mitch Evans (NZL)
10. Artem Markelov (RUS)
Trident
11. Raffaele Marciello (ITA)
12. Rene Binder (AUT)
Campos Racing
14. Arthur Pic (FRA)
15. Rio Haryanto (INA)
MP Motorsport
16. Vittorio Ghirelli (ITA)
17. Daniel De Jong (NED)
Rapax
18. Sergey Sirotkin (RUS)
19. Robert Visoiu (ROU)
Arden International
20. André Negrao (BRA)
21. Norman Nato (FRA)
Status Grand Prix
22. Marlon Stockinger (PHI)
23. Richie Stanaway (NZL)
Hilmer Motorsport
24. Sergio Canamasias (ESP)
25. Axcil Jefferies (ZIM)
Lazarus
26. Nathanaël Berthon (FRA)
27. Zoel Amberg (SUI)
