Just as GP2 is the feeder series for Formula One, GP3 has, since it’s introduction in 2010, been the feeder for GP2. The first two GP3 champions, Esteban Gutierrez and Valtteri Bottas, have both made it through GP2 and into Formula One in 2013, and the 2012 champion, Mitch Evans, moved on to GP2 this year, becoming the youngest GP2 driver on the podium with a third place in Malaysia at the age of 18.
Like the other events, GP3 has a practice session, qualifying, and races. There are two GP3 races at a Grand Prix weekend. Here are a few pictures from the qualifying session.
Saturday’s race was exciting to watch with much action, with Tio Ellinas winning from pole position and setting fastest lap, which meant that the national anthem of Cyprus was ringing out around the circuit. Ellinas will take part in the 2013 Young Driver tests with Marussia F1, someone to watch for the future.
The second race was on Sunday morning, ahead of the Grand Prix itself. It was won by Aaro Vainio, a 19 year old Finnish driver, who has also progressed to GP3 from Formula Renault.
As always, the GP3 action was fun, and I’m looking forward to my next opportunity to watch live GP3 racing at the 2013 British Grand Prix.
An index of my pictures from the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix can be found here.