New GP3 car launched at Monza

The car that the GP3 Series will use from the start of the 2013 season was unveiled yesterday at Monza.

The main alteration for the GP3/13 has been the introduction of a naturally-aspirated 400hp engine in place of the existing 280hp unit. Not only has the increase in power allowed the car to be at least three seconds a lap faster in its development tests, but it also makes the car sound more impressive than the quiet purr of the current machine does.

Other modifications include a new nose, sidepods and engine cover which together gives the car a similar look to the current generation GP2 racer.

“I am very proud of this new generation car,” said GP3 Series CEO Bruno Michel. “Our main objective was to make sure that GP3 remains the best way to prepare young drivers for the next steps, GP2 and F1, which is why we designed a more powerful and more selective car that - among other things reduces, the gap between GP3 and GP2. In order to do so, we carefully assessed the different single seater categories below GP2 and took into account observations from our drivers and teams. We’re convinced that the way we’ve positioned the GP3/13 is the right one for the next three seasons.

“Even if the car has evolved quite a lot, the costs will be almost similar to what they were before. That was key. The teams will not have to buy a new car. We will provide them with a development kit. It was quite a challenge seeing how the aerodynamics and the engine are different. And speaking of the engine, we go from 280 to 400hp for the same price.”

Michel added that the series will announce the nine teams that will take part in the championship next year soon.

Watch GP3 Series action on Motors TV.

Peter Allen